TWO new homes will be built on the site of a demolished house despite objections from 10 neighbours.
Permission was first given for a two-storey home in the garden of property, named Rosemary on Beaufort Road in Osbaston, Monmouth in 2020 with approval to demolish the original house and build a replacement granted in 2022.
Planning officer Phil Thomas said those permissions remain “extant meaning they can be implemented” but said the new designs, which needed approval from Monmouthshire County Council’s planning committee, reduced the height and width of the property fronting Beaufort Road and which is flanked on either side by existing residential properties.
As a result a new access for the home in the back garden will be created between it and neighbouring property, Downlea. Access for the front property, on plot one, would be on the other side of the house.
The committee was told the garden house would be now be at a greater distance from a neighbouring property, on Charles Close and maintained at the same distance as the previously approved plans from another and both homes will have off-street parking.
The botom end of the site won’t be developed and there will be no lighting on that part to protect wildlife.
There were no objections from statutory consultees such as highways and Mr Thomas said: “The plans are acceptable infill adhering to the suburban nature of this area.”
Committee chairman, Caerwent Conservative Phil Murphy, said Monmouth Town Council had objected but said when it was explained there were existing permissions “they seemed to understand a bit better what was going on.”
Labour’s Croesonen member Su McConnell said: “It is a more modest proposal than the original. I understand people are unhappy but they are getting less development than they would have got with the planning permission already approved.”
Independent councillor for Wyesham Emma Bryn asked if grasscrete, which allows grass to grow in gaps between concrete casts, could be used for the extended driveway she said: “That would improve biodiversity and reduce the noise from vehicles.”
She also said retaining and improving the existing hedgerows boundaries would protect privacy which neighbours had raised as an objection.
Mr Thomas said there would be a condition on soft landscaping and a condition that hard surfacing would have to be agreed could be added. The application including the additional condition were approved unanimously.
Permission is subject to a section 106 legal agreement that will require applicant, a Dr R Handley of Levitsfield Close, Monmouth to make a contribution of around £9,600 towards off site affordable housing in the area.
