MONMOUTHSHIRE planners are recommending giving the green light to a scheme to build 12 retirement apartments and five supported living apartments on a former allotment site between Old Barn Way and Old Hereford Road.

The development would be maintained and run by Monmouthshire Housing Association as affordable housing and would be housed in two blocks - the first incorporating three one bedroom apartments and nine two bedroom units all including a kitchen, bathroom and lounge/ dining area.

The second block would be a two storey apartment block designed to house five supported living apartments made up of five one bedroom units, all including a kitchen, bathroom and lounge/dining area designed for people with learning disabilities who require a degree of support to live independently.

It is also proposed to provide a communal area on the ground floor together with a spare single bedroom for carers and disabled shower room/WC.

Access to the proposed development would be from Old Hereford Road via a new junction arrangement and would be central along the boundary of the site focussing all vehicular movement within one location onto the existing highway.

The access will serve both blocks while pedestrian access would be provided either side of the proposed access and would connect the proposed new dwelling units with the existing footpath along Old Hereford Road. Seventeen car parking spaces are proposed together with a turning area within the site.

Objections to the proposed development have highlighted the loss of allotment space with residents saying it is ‘heartbreaking’ to see allotments going to waste and accusing Monmouthshire County Council of failing to maintain unused plots.

The county council however counters that the land was never considered a ‘statutory allotment’ as it was originally acquired by Abergavenny Borough Council in 1846 for housing purposed and later let out under licence to owners of adjoining houses.

The plans are due to be discussed by Monmouthshire’s planning committee on Tuesday, February 2