OUTLINE planning permission to build 600 homes on the Mabey Bridge site has been recommended for approval by Chepstow town councillors.

The site has been dubbed a "huge asset" to the town and in addition to the houses, will create several recreational spaces, walks and potential jobs.

A presentation was given last Wednesday (10th December) by Tim Gent, director of planning at Savills, and Andrew Leitch of Leitch Consulting Ltd.

The pair demonstrated to the council and members of the public that building on the site would reconnect the plot with the town. The plans call for four distinct neighbourhoods with a goal of retaining the town's social history.

Andrew Leitch, the scheme's project manager, said: "This is one of the best sites I have worked on. It will recycle one of Monmouthshire's largest areas of previously developed or brownfield land and will provide a range of homes and workspaces in a fantastic new environment.

"There is a very real opportunity here to create a sustainable and beautiful scheme that minimises the use of the car and knits the site properly back into the town.

"A significant number of jobs will also be created both during construction of the scheme, which is likely to take seven or eight years to complete, and from the occupation of the homes and other spaces that will be built there."

Despite approval from the majority of councillors there were concerns raised over the issue of extra traffic coming to the area.

Councillor Armand Watts, who was strongly opposed to the plans, said: "Chepstow will have a huge development, the scale of which this town has never seen. The added traffic has the potential to ruin the town both economically and financially and cause gridlock. I am completely opposed to the plans."

One member of the public voiced his concern over added levels of pollution that would hit the town.

Chepstow Town Council approved outline planning permission but requested thorough consultation as detailed plans are developed.