Monmouthshire County Council's planning department is currently considering a new car park facility for Mardy Park Resource Centre, but after seeing the plans, some residents are not so pleased about the proposal.

Mardy Park Resource Centre is a council-owned care facility, which is currently expanding out into the community and making its presence known across the town and neighbouring areas.

But with expansion comes a need for more parking, and because of this the council has put forward a proposal to build a car park for an additional 31 spaces on the green space next to the centre, visible from the road.

But this news has caused a stir for a number of reasons, with some residents concerned about the loss of valuable green space within the area, the impact of car park lighting on the local environment, the fact the facility can be seen from the road and the security of the site.

After the planning application went online in December, the initial response from residents was slow, but as of January 10, more and more responses began to flood in raising concerns about the proposed car park.

And while many residents, including Steve Champken understand the need to increase parking provision, concerns regarding the actual location of the car park have come under scrutiny.

Neil Stratton of Hereford Road has submitted a lengthy objection to the proposed site of the car park, arguing a more suitable place would be on the space behind the centre itself.

"As a village Mardy has little in the way of green spaces, most having been developed for housing in recent years," he said. "The lawned area to the front of the Resource centre is one of the few remaining green spaces in the vicinity and, as such, should be valued not only in terms of habitat for wildlife, but also for the wider community benefits it affords.

"Many visitors and residents enjoy the views across the well maintained lawns, and it is as close as we have to a village green, though obviously private and not public land. It is a link to the heritage of the area, all that remains of the former mansion house that once occupied the site."

And while he too agrees that car parking facilities are needed within the site, he argues that the 'frontage' of the site should be preserved.

"It is a visually appealing site, and this is intrinsic to the charm of the centre. To place a car park on the most attractive asset of the centre would mean the loss of this charm," he said.

He also raised the concern of the impact the development would have on wildlife, and the fact that it appears that no efforts have been made to shield the car park from the view of people, or the view from the facility itself.

And Mr Stratton has not been alone in his concerns, as Anne and Richard Miles from Hereford Road have also spoken out about the lack of screening for the Hereford Road side of the car park, and the impact the street lights will have on the local area, and queried whether they will be kept low and discreet.

Another local resident, Mr T Langman, also questioned the security of the site and said the proposal for the extended car park should include additional security features.

"The neighbours of Mardy Park have worked hard to improve security and prevent trespass to Mardy Park and resultant distress to the patients. This includes replacement of the gates of the access driveway to deter trespassers and increased vigilance," he said.

"The proposal for the extended car park should include additional security features to prevent further trespass and security issues being encountered. Bounding the car park with suitable 'security' hedging and additional 'private property - no public access' signage would help achieve this."

One major concern for a lot of residents is the lack of public consultation on the matter.

Suzanne Indge from Hereford Road said, "I am aware of the need for extra parking at Mardy Resource Centre however I was totally unaware of the plans for this venture until a neighbour informed me. I find this beyond belief considering it is going to be built directly in front of my house."

Mr Stratton added, "There is a clear statement in the proposal that they are 'in the process of contacting and consulting with neighbours'. This is far from the truth, because as far as I am aware only one neighbour has been contacted.

"I certainly have not, nor has anyone else I know, been consulted. There is a sense that this is being pushed through with no regard for the opinions of the wider community."

A spokesman for Monmouthshire County Council confirmed that the council's planners were currently considering the planning application.

He said the applicant had been advised that low level bollard lighting would need to be used to illuminate the car park and tree planting carried out along the western boundary as well as that proposed along the southern boundary. A survey of the existing trees on the site would also need to be submitted.

There were no plans for additional gates or fencing to enclose the car park.

These matters would need to be clarified before the application was considered by the council's planning committee.