A PLANNING application to build 16 houses on land at Thornwell was approved last Tuesday (7th January) at Monmouthshire County Council's (MCC) planning meeting.

The original application, deferred by the council last December, proposed to build 19 houses on the land at Thornwell and construct a play area for under 6s.

The application was deferred following concerns from residents and councillors that a greater area of green land should be maintained.

The new application saw the planner, Monmouthshire Housing Association, remove the under 6's play area to maintain more of the green space, and reduce the number of houses built from 19 to 16.

Councillor Debby Blakebrough, of the Trellech United ward, said: "It's a good scheme, we do need new housing and I'm glad residents were heard in terms of keeping the green space."

Cllr Roger Harris, of the Croesonen ward, said: "We desperately need these houses throughout the county and I will certainly be voting for this application."