Plans to develop 270 Houses on an environmentally sensitive site at Dixton Road, Monmouth have hit a significant roadblock after Monmouthshire County Council determined that a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be required.

In a letter to Lichfields, consultants to Redrow Homes, Jo Draper from the Development Management Team at Monmouthshire Council wrote “Having regard to the scale and nature of the development, the size of the site and the existing use of the site, I consider that the proposal is likely to result in a significant adverse effect on the environment.”

The letter provides details of objections from several official bodies.

The most significant objection came from the Wye Valley National Landscape (AONB), a nationally protected landscape.

They pointed out that the development could damage the “picturesque, extensive & dramatic views” from the National Landscape. They said that the site will be very visible from The Kymin, the Little Doward Hillfort and from Offa’s Dyke Path. The dramatic view of Monmouth seen when descending the B4293 from Lydart would also be affected by this development.

The Dixton Road site is on the side of a hill, rising over 50 metres from top to bottom which would make it very difficult to be screened out by trees.

The Wye Valley National Landscape enjoys the same protection in law as a National Park.

Cadw, the heritage arm of the Welsh Government also raised significant concerns.

“The proposed development will bring modern, dense development much closer to the designated historic assets and will be clearly visible from them. As such, there is a clear likelihood that it will have an unacceptably damaging effect upon the settings of scheduled monument (Dixton Mound) and the Dixton Conservation Area,” said Cadw.

Archaeological body HENEB also pointed out the archaeological significance of the site as it is linked to Roman and medieval artifacts and includes a historic metalworking site and said that the site should have a ‘Heritage Impact Assessment’ as well.

No mention was made in the letter about the proximity of the Dixton Road site to the nationally significant bat roost at Newton Court, approximately 950 metres away. Newton Court Stable Block is home to the endangered Greater and Lesser Horseshoe Bats. The Dixton Road site provides important feeding habitats for these rare bats and is well within the protected 3Km Core Sustenance Zone.

It one of only 3 sites in Wales and the only one in Monmouth for these bats. They are considered extinct (or very rare) in many Northern European countries.

At a Monmouth Town Council meeting, Town Councillor Martin Sweeney expressed concerns about the loss of habitat for Monmouth’s endangered Greater Horseshoe Bats. Monmouthshire Council has recently come under pressure, after it was revealed that they had removed key protections for the Greater Horseshoe Bats as part of the recent Habitat Regulations Assessment.

Campaigners argue that Monmouthshire County Council should adopt the same levels of protection for these bats as is provided by the neighbouring Forest of Dean Council, which has similar bat sites.