The humble dormouse could prevent 75 new homes from being built on the outskirts of Newport.
In 2007 Newport City Council granted outline planning permission to Redrow, for 1,100 homes, a primary school and a village centre to be built at Cot Hill, in Llanwern.
A detailed application for 75 of these homes was considered by Newport City Council’s planning committee last week.
Whether the development goes ahead depends on Natural Resources Wales’ response. The environmental agency is concerned about the loss of dormice habitats at the site.
Redrow has submitted a Dormice Conservation Strategy to NRW and has said it will plant new hedgerow and scrub.
If NRW agrees to the strategy, the application will be approved.
However, if NRW objects, the matter will be brought back to the planning committee.
Of the homes, 60 will be privately sold with 15 put aside for social housing.
Drainage concerns were also raised by councillors after Llanwern was flooded in December last year following heavy rain.
Cllr Martyn Cockerham, who represents the Llanwern ward, said: “It is unacceptable to put Llanwern residents and residents further afield in Glan Llyn and Lliswerry at risk for the sake of profit.
“I understand and support the need for quality homes, however the infrastructure must be in place to protect existing properties and people before other building.”
Councillors were told ponds to help with drainage are currently being dug at the site. They ruled building work on the homes should not start until the ponds have been completed.
Independent councillor Jason Jones said: “If these ponds are not completed before the development begins, we’re going to face flooding issues.”
Councillors also ordered sound-proofing be installed at 11 of the homes because of excessive traffic noise and said they should remain unoccupied until this is done.
