Locals opposed to a development branded ‘Tellytubby land’ said this week they hope the county council throws the controversial proposal out when the time comes.

Plans to build 32 aesthetically-futuristic ‘eco-homes’ on land next to St.Teilo’s Church in Llantilio Pertholey, near Abergavenny, have met strident opposition by locals, who formed the Save Our Rural Environment pressure group in response.

One member, Nicola Mainwaring, said the widespread opposition, which includes local politicians, and even a member of Monmouthshire County Council’s own biodiversity department, has done everything possible in the hope of swaying MCC’s decision-makers.

Ms Mainwaring, speaking to the Chronicle, said, “We, the residents of Llantilio Pertholey have done all we can to prevent the urbanisation of our rural hamlet and more importantly, to prevent the developers from building on a green field site, a designated Site of Importance for Nature Conservation.” ??Building on the level of support SORE has garnered, she said the group was approaching its ‘D-Day’ and was thankful to backers.

“We have seen objections from so many professional bodies including Network Rail, Monmouthshire’s Heritage Officer, Abergavenny and District Civic Society, MCC’s Biodiversity Officer, Brecon Beacons National Parks Society, our Community Council and of course, the Parish Church Council,” she said.

“Now, we can only hope that the planning committee considers the above and sees just how unwelcome and ill-advised this  ’Teletubby Town’ development is. The infrastructure simply doesn’t exist for any more development in this area. We can only hope Monmouthshire County Council agrees with us.” 

The proposed homes, which include lawn-roofing, and solar panels, would on a site north of St Teilo’s Church.

SORE has managed to gather the support of local AM Nick Ramsay, who said previously,

“Llantilio Pertholey is a beautiful part of Monmouthshire and the historic setting of the church has been unchanged for centuries.

“Any development should be in keeping with the character of the area and I am asking the council and National Park to take this into account when determining this application.”

The issue comes as Monmouthshire struggles to deal with a housing shortage numbering in hundreds per year, and some of the highest average house prices in Wales.

Developers claim their proposal melds with the ‘local character’ and the natural environment, whilst considerations have been made regarding wildlife and the natural habitat.

A spokeswoman from MCC’s planning department told the Chronicle that a decision regarding this application would not go before the planning committee until ‘May at the earliest.’