The public consultation on the plan for homes in the county up to 2033 will run until 16th December.

The Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP) is a key council policy document that allocates land for development, designates areas for protection and contains policies against which future planning applications will be assessed.

The document identifies where and how much new, sustainable development will take place to 2033

The vote to approve the RLDP at Monmouthshire County Council’s full meeting on October 24, was passed by 21 votes in favour, to 20 against, with one abstention.

Two Monmouth Councillors voted in favour of the plans – Councillor Catrin Maby and Councillor Steven Garratt. Councillor Jane Lucas voted against the proposals and Wyesham Councillor Emma Bryn abstained.

Sites planned for new housing include; Tudor Road Wyesham; Drewen Farm Wonastow; land off Rockfield Road; land at Mounton Road, Chepstow; Land at Former MOD, Caerwent; land south of Monmouth Road, Raglan; land east of Burrium Gate, Usk; land at Churchfields, Devauden; land east of Little Mill; land north of Little Mill and land west of Redd Landes, Shirenewton.

Members of the Gateway to Wales Action Group filled the public gallery at the meeting to oppose the development of 270 houses close to the Dixton roundabout. The group is in favour of the development of affordable housing, but argues that it should be the right housing, in the right place with the right infrastructure.

David Cummings, Chair of the Gateway to Wales Action Group, spoke on behalf of Monmouth residents to express objections to the proposed Dixton Road development.

He argued that the site, close to a major traffic pinch point, lacks accessible infrastructure, with significant distances from essential services and employment sites.

He also raised environmental concerns, highlighting that the proximity to the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) risks degrading a historic and scenic landscape. Additionally, the site’s position near heavily trafficked areas is expected to worsen air pollution, impacting both health and the county's emission goals.

The Action Group suggested the alternative site on Wonastow Road, as a more viable option, with better infrastructure access and fewer environmental risks.

Councillor Paul Griffiths discussed the selection of the Dixton Road site in Monmouth compared with the Wonastow Road site.

“If during public consultation evidence emerges that there is a preference, and more evidence, which would favour Wonastow, then that evidence will be given full consideration” he said.

One item of contention at the meeting was the topic of water quality.

Councillor Fay Bromfield said “It has been brought to my attention recently that residents in Monmouth are under two notices for the quality of their drinking water.”

“It is my understanding that this will not be rectified until 2028. With this in mind, I have to ask why we would even consider developing in this area of Monmouth,” she continued.

She highlighted a report by Nicholas Adjei, Deputy Chief Inspector of the Drinking Water Inspectorate in October 2023 that said, “there is a significant risk of supplying water from Monmouth treatment works and Court Farm treatment works that could constitute a potential danger to human health”.

Responding to this Councillor Paul Griffiths said “Where there are concerns of water quality, I am unaware of them. I am unaware of their cause. I don’t believe that any issues of water quality will be affected by development. If I thought that was the case, then I would withdraw the proposal”.

“I do not understand the link between the development proposal and water quality. If I find the link, I would certainly react to it”.