Detailed ­­new plans, including an overview of the drainage system for the new houses at Wonastow Road, came under the scrutiny of town planners on Monday night, 10th August.

Chairman of the Planning Committee, Stuart Wilson, explained to councillors how the scheme would work, with surface water being contained in attenuation ponds and released slowly into the existing water flow so that flash floods can be avoided.

Careful to stress that the new plans “must not increase or add to” the flooding issues that historically have occurred there, he pointed out that Welsh Water insist that all new developments in the town, whether large or small scale, must not have surface water running into sewage systems as flood waters are ‘unpredictable’.

Therefore the system in place on Wonastow Road is one of drains, control points - which automatically control the amount of water run-off released into the drainage system - and attenuation ponds.

The plans are for up to 370 houses and 6.5 hectares of industrial units, although the take-up on the industrial site has been poor; the only companies interested so far have been Siltbusters and a metal-working company.

Councillor Sue Chivers did show some concern that the original idea of ‘high tech’ industry that was suggested by Monmouthshire County Council officers at the first meeting some years ago had not materialised and others felt that the amount of light and heavy industry being attracted there was not within the policy of the Local Development Plan (LDP).

Cllr Sue Chivers, said that she had lived in the area for 48 years and can remember two floods when the rain water entered the sewage system and made an awful mess.

“I don’t know whether this will improve the system or not, but I am not prepared to make a decision on whether this will work or not. I do not understand the technicalities of the Surface Water Drainage Master Plan and cannot vote to approve the houses considering the condition of the existing site and it’s previous flooding history.

“Everything looks good on paper, but it doesn’t always work,” she added.

Cllr Chris Munslow was concerned about the course of the water leading to Cinderhill Street and whether the pumping station would be capable of coping with the additional water.

“I don’t think anyone is satisfied,” he added.

Other problems highlighted by the committee included the single access road into and out of the site which runs through the industrial site, and the footpath system which ends at the Link Road where pedestrians will look to use the private road linking Wonastow Close and St Dials Close.

Chairman, Cllr Wilson was losing the argument by now and asked whether councillors wanted to vote on this or not. The resolution put forward on recommending to refuse the three applications - one drainage and the two developers’ house plans - was approved by seven votes to one, with Cllr Wilson being the sole member of the committee to find favour with the development.

The plans will now go before Monmouthshire County Council for a final decision.