Campaigners fighting a 111-home development which was recently approved by Monmouthshire council have been handed a boost after the decision was called in by the Welsh Government.
The contentious outline application for housing on land south of Monmouth Road in Raglan was approved last month despite hundreds of objections, a protest march and public meetings being held.
But now the plans will determined by Welsh ministers following a decision by the Welsh Government to “call in” the application.
A letter addressed to Mark Hand, head of planning at Monmouthshire council, says the application “appears to be contrary to national policy.”
It says the application must demonstrate the development will create a “well connected sustainable development which minimises the need to travel and promotes greater use of the more sustainable and healthy forms of travel.”
“There is no discussion of alternative more sustainable and healthy forms of transport or travel and [the development] relies on a commuted sum in the S106 legal agreement to improve local bus services,” the letter says.
“In this respect, therefore, the transport hierarchy as set out in national policy appears to have been ignored as the report gives highest priority to the motor vehicle, then to public transport and no priority to more sustainable forms of transport or travel.”
Welsh ministers can call in an application, which takes the decision away from the council, when a request is submitted by any person or organisation, or if an application is referred by the council.
But the powers are used ‘exceptionally.’
The decision to call-in does not imply any view from the Welsh ministers about the merits of an application.
Adrian Edwards, clerk to Raglan Community Council which objected to the plans, said community councillors welcomed the decision.
The plans, submitted by Richborough Estates, include 39 affordable homes and aim to bridge a ‘shortfall’ of housing in Raglan.
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