Villagers call for rethink on new housing development

VILLAGERS who fear a new housing development will destroy a well-used green space have urged a council to rethink its plans.

- NICHOLAS THOMAS

Caerphilly County Council recently won planning permission to build up to eight accessible bungalows on undeveloped land near James Street, in Trethomas.

But the site has been dubbed a “cherished and historic area of public green open space” by its supporters, who say it has been used for community recreation for “over a century”.

Planning officers agreed the site had a “degree of importance to the local community” but were ultimately not persuaded to reject the application, despite receiving hundreds of objections.

The officers disputed assertions the land should be protected as “green wedge”, and decided the area around the proposed development site “retains a significant part of the existing open space”.