COUNCILLORS have given the go-ahead to convert a home into three one-bedroom flats despite objections it would lead to parking pressures.
The application would also see a garage at the side of the three-bedroom semi-detached house demolished and replaced with a single storey extension, with another in the back garden, and a replacement front porch constructed.
Labour councillor for Rogiet, Peter Strong, had urged Monmouthshire County Council’s planning committee to reject the plans for the property at St Mary’s Crescent which is leased by the authority.
He said: “Significant objections remain and you won’t be surprised to know many relate to parking. Rogiet has a particular problem with parking. Old Rogiet was built for railway workers, not motorists, and has narrow streets.”
He said there was a “particular parking pressure” as the house is close to the Severn Tunnel Junction railway station and large numbers of commuters park on streets to avoid having to pay to park and claimed some block driveways.
Cllr Strong also disputed the report by the planning department which stated as the house is near the railway station and a bus stop it could support a shift away from a reliance on private vehicles and said it was misleading to say the village has a shop as he said it is part of the local garage and doesn’t sell a full range of groceries.
“Rogiet is a long way from being a 15 minute city,” said Cllr Strong referring to the concept local amenities should be available within 15 minutes walking distance from where people live.
Magor East with Undy member John Crook said he couldn’t agree with the highways report the parking was acceptable and the Labour councillor said: “There’s clearly a major issue here and I don’t want to be a part of increasing this issue going forward.”
Dewstow Labour member Tony Easson said the plans should be resubmitted as he thought without a porch the currently partly paved garden area at the front of the house could provide three parking spaces.
Planning officer Andrew Jones said two parking spaces would be provided in front of the house while the council’s parking guidance states a three-bedroom home and three single-bedroom flats require the same level of parking provision meaning there is no change in the site’s requirements.
Mr Jones did say the parking area is 600 millimeters short of the 4.8 metre minimum length of a parking space but said the figure is only a guideline. He also said the loss of the garage wasn’t relevant as they aren’t counted towards off street parking spaces.
Labour’s Su McConnell said she was “really sympathetic” to concerns over parking but said the application met the council’s policies and said: “I don’t think we have any choice but to approve this.”
Conservative Jayne McKenna said the committee couldn’t make a decision on assumptions, other members had made about how many vehicles potential occupants may have, and said: “We do have a shortage of housing and this will be welcomed.”
Head of planning Amy Longford said the number of vehicles occupants might have couldn’t be considered and told councillors: “I live in a four bedroom house and I have one car, my neighbours live in a four bedroom house and have six.”
The application was approved with 10 councillors in favour and four voting against.
