SIR,

I hope people are aware of the forthcoming Local Development Plan meetings; the one for Monmouth is in Bridges Community Centre on 20th October between 12.30pm and 7.30pm.

The council seems to have suddenly come up with alternative sites to Wonastow Road, which the developers are not too keen on due to too many problems.

The council will no doubt attempt to push ahead with the Wonastow site due to pressure from the Welsh Assembly Government, who own it.

The principle objection to this development by the people of Wonastow Road and beyond is the total unsuitability of it due to the high water table across the whole area.

It is officially classified as a flood plain and therefore any development would cause flooding on Upper Wonastow Road.

Lower Wonastow Road and Drybridge Street are protected by a pumping station, but this does not prevent flooding on upper Wonastow Brook.

The 2003 Atkins report states 'the pumping station will not provide any real reduction in the level of flood risk to properties located along the upper reaches of Wonastow Road'.

In the feasibility report it states the runoff from the development will be no more than at present due to the construction of holding ponds, but these could never work because the ground water levels are so high they would immediately fill with water.

There are also underground aquifers running through the site.

The development is also objected to because the site lies outside the environs of Monmouth and the council wishes to extend any development to join up with the Rockfield development.

Houses would be bought mainly by people from outside the area.

There are also environmental impacts. Apart from the obvious and very real flooding risks, the site is home to a very diverse range of flora and fauna including dormice, badgers, owls, bats, amphibians and rarer grass species as well as many mature oaks and ancient hedgerows which provide corridors between the site and Kingswood.

Parts of both the Wonastow site and Kingswood are Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation.

Pedestrian access is another problem. The report states no footway could be provided on Wonastow Road and there are many difficulties to be overcome in finding an alternative route.

The report additionally finds most junctions are already at full capacity at rush hour and major works would be needed to keep traffic moving.

Finally, the report says the current sewage and water systems will not support the proposed development.

I don't want to see Monmouth drowning under more urban sprawl. It would be good to think it could still be a nice place to live for generations to come.

Philip Parkinson

(Monmouth)