Taylor Wimpey has submitted an outline planning application for up to 180 homes on its 'Rockfield Road East' site, on land to the north west of Vauxhall Fields in Monmouth.

A public exhibition on the proposed plans was held in late 2011 and was attended by more than 270 people with more than 90 people submitting feedback forms.

Taylor Wimpey has since reviewed its plans based on this feedback and further developed a masterplan for the site.

Monmouthshire County Council is currently searching for suitable sites for additional houses to address a housing shortfall in its Local Development Plan.

Taylor Wimpey is proposing this site as an alternative strategic site.

Key issues raised during the public consultation related to flooding and traffic impacts. These key points have been incorporated and addressed in the design of the final masterplan, which aims to preserve the character and integrity of Monmouth.

Work on the site will include extensive flood mitigation, which the developer says will be of benefit to purchasers of the new homes and existing residents living along Rockfield Road by resolving some of the historic flooding issues in the area.

The masterplan for the site includes a children's play area, the preservation of the natural green open areas alongside the river at Vauxhall Fields, which will become available for public use, and the potential for a community orchard and allotments.

The proposed development also aims to help minimise any further increase in traffic in the town centre by virtue of its location adjacent to the town centre and by encouraging new residents living on the development to use existing public transport links and also to undertake the short walk or cycle into town.

Mike Fenton, strategic planning manager at Taylor Wimpey, said: "As a result of feedback from the public consultation, and further development of the masterplan, the site has the potential to create a well-integrated and cohesive new community, which will have a number of key benefits, including wider flood protection for houses around Rockfield Road and the opportunity to secure and enhance Vauxhall Fields for public open space."