SIR,

I am dismayed to see that planning permission is being sought for a massive bottling plant/ industrial unit on Ancre Hill, details to be seen on the Monmouthshire County Council website, listed under its application number only (DC/2011/00601) and not its post code or address.

The area to be developed is massive, some 505 square meters according to the application, right next to Ancre Hill Lane.

Surely there are many industrial units available in and around Monmouth, vacant and far more suitable with less carbon footprints including road and communication access already in place?

The unit proposed is so large it will be seen from many areas of the town as it is on the 'skyline', although trees may cover it part of the year will it still overlook the development sites opposite?

Is there a policy within the local planning office of not affecting the skyline of the town?

Will a very large amount of waste liquid be produced? This needs to go somewhere, a soak away or a reed bed must drain away, perhaps into the surrounding fields and who knows eventually into the brook running along the side of the Rockfield Road.

Do existing industrial units cater for large amounts of waste fluid, if not why should we at Ancre Hill?

Will this development interfere with walkers and users of the footpath/ lane directly behind it, will it distract and cause nuisance to neighbors opposite?

Will the smell of thousands of gallons of waste fluids being emptied into reed beds or soaks and the noise of bottles, workers, deliveries and visitors using the factory upset wildlife and spoil the peaceful Ancre Hill?

The Rockfield Road at the bottom of Ancre Hill Lane has seen many accidents along the stretch where the new round-about is currently being built, will increasing visitor and delivery traffic cause more?

I applaud the idea of a bottling plant but in a realistic and designated area for industry, not an area of natural beauty and wildlife.

Are there Government rules put in place and guidelines to follow regarding spoiling the beautiful rural green countryside and/ or old houses and gardens? Using existing industrial units or 'brownfield' sites is surely the answer.

How many small businesses have tried to develop extensive industrial units at home and been approved, are they not pointed at existing industrial estates?

Many organisations agree with this development but have they thought about the rural and personal implications when alternatives are definitely available? Have they thought about the effect of these developments on the future of the local environment, its look and feel? No, they are not locals, they are not accountable and they don't have to live next to it or in it.

As I have stated I clearly think this is a good idea and not a case of 'not in my back yard' as it does not directly affect me but this is the thin edge of the wedge as is the potential development of Vauxhall field on flood plains.

Christopher Morgan

(Monmouth)