More than 250 people turned out at Bridges Community Centre last Friday (4th November) to look at potential plans for the development of Vauxhall Fields.

A total of 278 people attended the public exhibition, held by house builder Taylor Wimpey, to discuss the firm's proposals for an 'alternative' strategic development site for Monmouth.

Taylor Wimpey is promoting the site as part of Monmouthshire County Council's (MCC) Local Development Plan (LDP) process, which has earmarked Monmouth for 800 new homes over the next 10 years, including a major strategic site of around 400 homes.

The site could provide an alternative to Wonastow Road which is currently included in the draft LDP to provide 370 homes.

Taylor Wimpey's planning manager Mike Fenton said: "We are pleased with the significant level of interest that has been shown in our alternative site, and would like to thank the large number of people that took time to visit the exhibition and discuss their views and ideas in relation to our proposals.

"Following feedback received, we remain convinced that Vauxhall Fields offers the best solution for Monmouth in terms of providing a centrally located residential site.

"The site could provide a range of community benefits for existing local residents including:  improved town centre pedestrian and cycle links across the river; extensive riverside park and recreation areas; as well as a range of flood mitigation measures that could help improve existing localised flooding issues."

MCC is currently undertaking a public consultation on the Deposit LDP; the deadline for feedback being 18th November.

This will be followed by a consultation on alternative sites which have been put forward to MCC for development, but have so far not been selected for inclusion in the deposit plan. 

Following this public consultation period, MCC could choose to remove Wonastow Road and replace it with an alternative site such as Taylor Wimpey's suggested land to the north west of Vauxhall Fields.

If MCC decides Wonastow Road is the best site for strategic development, Taylor Wimpey's plans to develop Vauxhall Fields will become redundant.

For further information on Taylor Wimpey's proposals visit taylorwimpey-vauxhall.co.uk.