A SERIOUS blow has been dealt to the plans for 111 homes on Monmouth Road at Raglan.

The Welsh Assembly has temporarily removed one of the factors planners take into account when considering an application which says that ‘considerable’ weight to the lack of a five year housing land supply is a material consideration in determining planning applications for housing. 

Richborough Estates was using the argument that the current housing supply, as determined by the Local Development Plan (LDP), was not on target and that extra houses outside the identified LDP boundary, such as their plans for 111 houses could be given “considerable weight” when this ruling was applied.

Their own planning report states: “It is accepted that the current housing land supply is an important material consideration in the determination of this application.”

Andrew Jones, MCC’s planning officer for the site said that the temporary removal of the note has a bearing on the plans and is a serious issue to consider.

“The plans were drawn up by Richborough Estates prior to any awareness of this move by the Welsh Government and its potential implications,” he said.

The planning department is now writing a formal response to the Welsh Government and is looking at what stance to take in applying the condition.

A spokesperson from Richborough Estates said: “Housing land supply remains an important consideration in the determination of planning applications in Wales, despite the temporary dis-application of Paragraph 6.2. In this context, Monmouthshire continues to have a shortfall in housing supply.

“Notwithstanding this, we have approached this development collaboratively from the outset. We have engaged in extensive pre-application discussions and consultation to ensure a high quality scheme is brought forward. The site is in a sustainable location and the scheme has been carefully designed.

“Our proposals can deliver new homes and affordable housing, providing greater choice to those wishing to remain in Raglan. It can also deliver wider benefits, including new areas of public open space and green infrastructure and significant contributions towards education and a new village hall.”