WORK to build a new estate of nearly 50 fully affordable homes in Caldicot could start by the end of the summer.

Planning permission for the 46 homes on the former site of Caldicot Comprehensive School was granted by Monmouthshire County Council’s planning committee in January 2024 but work has yet to start.

Monmouthshire Housing Association is developing the site, as 100 per cent affordable housing, having bought the site, which became available when the new school was built on adjacent land, from the county council.

Caldicot West End Labour councillor asked why the project has been delayed at a council scrutiny committee.

Nick Keys, the council’s acting head of landlord services, said the council no longer controls the land having sold it around 18 months ago and said: “Monmouthshire Housing Association went out to tender and were unable to award and have since retendered and appointed a contractor.

“The target date were told is expected to be this summer it is anticipated to be on site.”

Mr Keys said he could seek further information from the housing association for the committee.

More than 500 police officers in South Wales and Gwent are now trained to use a mobile phone app which allows them to confirm the identity of an unknown person with the touch of a button.

Officers have been able to confirm the identity of someone who is missing, risk of serious harm, wanted, or suspected of an offence, in circumstances when they’re unable to provide details, refuse to give details or provide false details.

Successful uses in Gwent include two people who were raised as concerns for safety and later identified as well as one man who was arrested after giving false details to an officer but the app revealed his true identity.