Residents dub eco homes plan a ‘Teletubby town’

Residents have voiced concerns over plans to create an “eco village” near Abergavenny, claiming the homes would look like holiday chalets or “like something out of Teletubby town”.

Objections have been lodged after a planning application was submitted to build 32 eco homes on land next to St.Teilo’s Church in Llantilio Pertholey, near Abergavenny.

A campaign group called Llantilio Pertholey SORE (Save Our Rural Environment) has also been set up to oppose the application.

Out of the homes, 14 fall within Monmouthshire council’s area and 18 within the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, with separate planning applications being lodged to each.

The application claims the site has “great potential” for development, but campaigners say it will harm wildlife and the natural beauty of the area.

The homes have been designed with sustainable green roofs which is said to be a “key component” of the design.

But Sean Carlsen, from SORE, said the development would be an ‘eyesore.’
He said: “Llantilio Pertholey, with it’s grade-I listed church and stone built cottages opposite, is a beautiful rural hamlet.

“Looking at the developers’ imagery, it is heartbreaking to imagine such a monstrosity could be built opposite a grade-I listed church.

“This bizarre design is frankly an ugly eyesore resembling 1950s holiday chalets or as most locals have now dubbed it, ‘Teletubby town.'”

Monmouthshire County Council’s biodiversity and ecology officer, Stacey Delbridge, is also among those to have objected to the scheme.

In a statement, Ms Delbridge says: “We are preparing a detailed objection to the scheme, at this time the objection relates to the following: “Unmitigated loss of the River Gavenny SINC (Site of Importance for Nature Conservation), priority grassland, great crested newt and otter habitat.”

Network Rail has also objected and said the developer has not assessed footpath crossings near to the proposed development.

Campaigners have also raised concerns about the impact of increased traffic resulting from the development.

The plans include making improvements to a junction with Hereford Road, with a proposal to widen the road and provide new footpaths either side.

This is intended to improve vehicle access to the lane and make the short walk from the bus stop to the church safer.

But one objector, Nicola Mainwaring, said: “The existing infrastructure simply cannot cope with increased traffic.

“This increased traffic would be a danger to churchgoers, particularly when funerals and weddings are taking place.”

A statement from the applicant’s agent said the proposed homes have been “specifically designed to correspond with the local rural character and the natural environment.”

The plans will also help meet demand for housing, in particular affordable homes, it says.

Mitigation strategies to protect wildlife and vulnerable habitats have been put forward, the application says.