A huge housing development which was almost scuppered by dormice has been approved despite concerns remaining over flooding and noise.
In 2007 Newport 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 the council’s planning committee in October, but the development was threatened over concerns about a loss of dormice habitats.
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Natural Resources Wales has since come to an agreement with Redrow over a dormouse conservation strategy including planting new hedgerow and scrub.
According to a council report dated December 13, however, concerns still remain over flooding in the area.
A latest report from Natural Resources Wales reads: “We welcome the additional planting that has been proposed to strengthen the eastern boundary corridor, and that four metres of additional native scrub planting has been provided to buffer the south-western boundary.
“However, we maintain our concerns with respect to the minimal amount of scrub that has been provided at the north-western boundary.
“In order to provide a more resilient corridor, we advise that the western boundary, at a minimum, should be four metres along its full length. This will then improve habitat connectivity across the wider landscape.”
A council decision notice said the development had been partly approved with conditions but partly refused on noise and drainage.
“The proposed surface water drainage arrangements within the phase three housing are unacceptable since it has not been demonstrated that the surface water run-off from the completed phase can be effectively attenuated and flood risk in Station Road appropriately mitigated,” the document reads.
The document also said some residents would be subjected to “unacceptable levels of road traffic noise”.
Drainage concerns were also raised in October 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 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.
A spokeswoman for Redrow said: “The Hollies Phase Three at Great Milton Park, Llanwern received full planning permission from the council yesterday.
“This will bring 75 homes, including 15 affordable apartments and family houses, as well as public open space, across 7.28 acres.
“Construction is due to start early next year with the first residents expected to be moving in from summer 2023.”
Sixty-two of the homes will be sold on the open market; 28 three-bedroom houses and 34 four-bedroom houses. The rest of the estate will be made up of affordable housing.
Work is currently under way on 32 one and two-bedroom affordable apartments for over-55s, set over three floors at the heart of the village.
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