PERMISSION has been given for a four bedroom house on a derelict site in a conservation area where it was previously planned to build two homes.

The newly approved plans have increased the area that is to be developed, since the previous plans were approved in October 2020, but met with an objection from neighbour Lisa Hopkins.

She said approving the new house on the site at Maryport Street in Usk would impact on her home in Church Street. She asked councillors to defer any decision so they could receive further information.

Ms Hopkins told Monmouthshire County Council’s planning committee the home would overlook her property and as well as raising concerns over parking claimed the demolition of a garage on the site, in January last year, didn’t “appear to comply” with conservation area consent.

A report for the planning committee stated due to its size the garage was below the threshold for the requirement for conservation area consent but the permission was in place for demolition of the former coach house and office building on the site of the plans approved in 2020.

Conservative councillor for Usk, Tony Kear, who had requested the application go before the planning committee outlined a number of concerns including overlooking of Ms Hopkins’ home and parking on a busy part of Maryport Street near the council’s community hub and Post Office and a convenience store.

Planning officer Andrew Jones said there was no objection from the highways department and said the building had been reduced in size following concerns from the council’s heritage officer and to avoid adverse impact on neighbouring buildings. He also reminded the committee the previously approved application would still be valid if they rejected the latest application.

The committee approved the application though two councillors voted against granting planning permission.