Monmouthshire Council planning decisions this week
Silver birch approved for removal
A dangerously leaning silver birch tree was approved for removal by a delegated officer in Monmouthshire.
The tree was threatening a house, power line, and heating oil supply pipe.
Usk store to undergo redevelopment
The Co-op store on Bridge Street, Usk, will see a range of upgrades to its building and infrastructure.
Approved plans include the installation of a new gas cooler, DA pack, and air conditioning units in the rear yard, replacing existing equipment.
The timber shop fronts will be repaired and redecorated to match the current appearance.
The main entrance canopy will receive new boxing at its base to address damage to the timber columns.
Additional improvements include new ventilation systems, external LED lighting, and internal refurbishments such as upgraded flooring, ceilings, and fire boarding.
The application was granted listed building consent on June 3.
Glamping site approved in Tintern
A sustainable glamping site in Tintern has been approved by planners.
The seasonal development includes six bell tents, two compost toilets, and a shower block at Cross Farm, Ravensnest Wood Road.
Cottage set for energy efficiency upgrades
A cottage near Tintern is set for energy efficiency upgrades.
Monmouthshire County Council has approved plans to retrofit The Retreat, located on Barbadoes Hill, with external wall insulation and three new Velux roof windows.
The insulation will be applied to all four sides of the property and finished with a white render.
The application was approved by delegated decision on June 2.
Roof light given green light in Caerwent
A homeowner has been granted permission to add an extra roof light to their home.
Caerwent Community Council granted the applicant's request for a property on Merton Green, Caerwent, on May 29.
Garden to become driveway in Chepstow
A front garden is set to be converted into a driveway.
Monmouthshire County Council has approved a request to replace the lawn at 23 Western Avenue in Chepstow with a hard-surfaced parking area.
The proposed driveway will measure six metres by 6.5 metres.
The application was approved on June 2.
Forestry access track plans withdrawn
Elsewhere, plans to build a forestry access track in Devauden have been withdrawn.
The track was planned to support tree felling operations in Little Tredean Wood, where mature larch trees have been infected with Phytophthora ramorum.
The proposal was withdrawn on June 3.
Garden extension in Devauden approved
Meanwhile, a bungalow's garden will be extended after planning permission was granted.
The land will be incorporated into the residential garden at Pen Y Bryn Bungalow, Cobblers Hill, Devauden.
Gym and home office approved in Newchurch
A new gym and home office outbuilding at Pyotts Cottage, Coed Llifos Road, Newchurch, has been approved.
The construction was greenlit by a delegated officer.
Yew tree to be pruned to protect St Tysois Church
Finally, a historic yew tree will be pruned to protect a village church.
Located in the churchyard of St Tysois Church in Llansoy, near Usk, the tree will be trimmed to prevent overhanging branches from damaging the building or impeding access.
Monmouthshire County Council approved the plans on June 2.
The work will raise the tree's crown to two metres and clear branches within three metres of the church on its western side.
The application also includes the removal of epicormic shoots from the trunk.
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South Wales Argus
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Councillor concerned at wild swimming at Keeper's Pond
Keeper's Pond, above Blaenavon, is within the UNESCO recognised World Heritage site but local councillors have raised concerns over waste and whether enough is being done to remove it. Independent councillors Janet Jones and Nick Horler, who both represent Blaenavon, asked questions over action to address fly-tipping and litter at Torfaen Borough Council's June 10 meeting. Cllr Jones said the area, which was recognised by the United Nations body for its importance to the development of the industrial revolution, has seen an increase in leisure activities which she said can pose a threat to biodiversity. She said: 'We have seen an increase in the popularity of leisure activities within the World Heritage site. This has led to concerns about the preservation of biodiversity on our doorstep. In particular, the amount of off-roading along the mountainside, swimming, and general gatherings at the Keeper's Pond.' She asked if Torfaen council has a budget to 'manage and protect' its areas recognised as being of 'outstanding universal value'. Her colleague, Cllr Horler, said fly tipping on private land is a 'blight on our heritage landscape' and asked a budget be put in place to make it easier for officers to remove fly tipping once landowners have been given notice to do so. He also said the council should have a process to remove waste within a set time limit and for costs to be recovered from landowners. READ MORE: Council leader Anthony Hunt said he 'fully appreciates the frustration' caused by fly tipping and said the council always takes action 'as quickly as we can' to address it but said 'we do have to take care as regards the law and what we can do within those powers.' The Labour leader also said he'd be 'happy' to involve the fire brigade in discussions around addressing fly-tipping after Cllr Horler said he was concerned it was placing an additional strain on the service. On Keeper's Pond Cllr Hunt said it was recognised enjoyment of the 'beautiful countryside' has increased 'tensions' but said the actual pond is within Monmouthshire County Council's boundaries but he would be 'happy' to raise the issue with the council. He said Monmouthshire County Council is partner in the World Heritage site partnership and retains responsibility for its land and assets in the protected area.
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
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Monmouthshire Council planning decisions this week
Silver birch approved for removal A dangerously leaning silver birch tree was approved for removal by a delegated officer in Monmouthshire. The tree was threatening a house, power line, and heating oil supply pipe. Usk store to undergo redevelopment The Co-op store on Bridge Street, Usk, will see a range of upgrades to its building and infrastructure. Approved plans include the installation of a new gas cooler, DA pack, and air conditioning units in the rear yard, replacing existing equipment. The timber shop fronts will be repaired and redecorated to match the current appearance. The main entrance canopy will receive new boxing at its base to address damage to the timber columns. Additional improvements include new ventilation systems, external LED lighting, and internal refurbishments such as upgraded flooring, ceilings, and fire boarding. The application was granted listed building consent on June 3. Glamping site approved in Tintern A sustainable glamping site in Tintern has been approved by planners. The seasonal development includes six bell tents, two compost toilets, and a shower block at Cross Farm, Ravensnest Wood Road. Cottage set for energy efficiency upgrades A cottage near Tintern is set for energy efficiency upgrades. Monmouthshire County Council has approved plans to retrofit The Retreat, located on Barbadoes Hill, with external wall insulation and three new Velux roof windows. The insulation will be applied to all four sides of the property and finished with a white render. The application was approved by delegated decision on June 2. Roof light given green light in Caerwent A homeowner has been granted permission to add an extra roof light to their home. Caerwent Community Council granted the applicant's request for a property on Merton Green, Caerwent, on May 29. Garden to become driveway in Chepstow A front garden is set to be converted into a driveway. Monmouthshire County Council has approved a request to replace the lawn at 23 Western Avenue in Chepstow with a hard-surfaced parking area. The proposed driveway will measure six metres by 6.5 metres. The application was approved on June 2. Forestry access track plans withdrawn Elsewhere, plans to build a forestry access track in Devauden have been withdrawn. The track was planned to support tree felling operations in Little Tredean Wood, where mature larch trees have been infected with Phytophthora ramorum. The proposal was withdrawn on June 3. Garden extension in Devauden approved Meanwhile, a bungalow's garden will be extended after planning permission was granted. The land will be incorporated into the residential garden at Pen Y Bryn Bungalow, Cobblers Hill, Devauden. Gym and home office approved in Newchurch A new gym and home office outbuilding at Pyotts Cottage, Coed Llifos Road, Newchurch, has been approved. The construction was greenlit by a delegated officer. Yew tree to be pruned to protect St Tysois Church Finally, a historic yew tree will be pruned to protect a village church. Located in the churchyard of St Tysois Church in Llansoy, near Usk, the tree will be trimmed to prevent overhanging branches from damaging the building or impeding access. Monmouthshire County Council approved the plans on June 2. The work will raise the tree's crown to two metres and clear branches within three metres of the church on its western side. The application also includes the removal of epicormic shoots from the trunk.
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
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Great Wall of Clydach steel fence to be removed says council
The 2.1 metre, or six foot, tall steel fence appeared suddenly and without warning across the face of Gilwern mountain in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park and close to the boundary of the UNESCO Blaenavon World Heritage site in April. Locals dubbed the 200m long galvanised steel structure with sharp spikes as the 'Great Wall of Clydach' and demanded its removal. Monmouthshire County Council, which said it had to take action to stop people accessing Pwll Du Road that runs across the face of the mountain and has been closed to traffic on safety grounds for the past five years, has now agreed to replace it. An arrow pointing towards the line of the fence along the mountainside. The council has said it will use stock fencing instead and the posts at either end of the road, supporting the fence, will be reduced in height. It will also be painted to blend in with the surrounding countryside. Independent county councillor for Llanelly Hill, Simon Howarth, said he was pleased with the outcome but critical of the council's actions and costs involved. He said at a recent meeting held at Clydach Village Hall the council said it will be going out to tender to remove the fence but costs would be in the region of £20,000. At a public meeting held in April the council confirmed the bill for putting up the fence was £40,000. Cllr Howarth said: 'The fence is coming down. They did say they are going out to tender and the cost is around £20,000, which hasn't gone done very well. We shouldn't have got here.' The fence line running through the middle of the road will be removed and replaced with 1.5m high stock fence while existing posts and embedded gates at either end, that aren't visible and prevent access for vehicles, will be retained. Cllr Howarth added: 'Overall we are where we should have started but around £50,000 to £70,000 worse off.' The councillor said he was also pleased the council has said it will allow access to the backside of the fence, between it and the mountainside, for cyclists and pedestrians though some points still have to be made safe. A close up of the fence that has been out across the Pwll Du Road on Gilwern Mountain. He also said the council will hold talks with farmers and commoners over access for moving stock from the Keeper's Pond end of the mountain road, which he welcomed. A council spokesman said: 'Following a positive meeting, the local community and the council agreed with the proposal to reduce the height of the back line of the palisade fencing, replacing it with stock proof fencing and painting the reveals and pillars with a suitable colour to blend in with the landscape.' The council had said previous measures to keep vehicles off the road including gates and boulders had failed as they had been damaged or removed while a rockfall in 2023 had prompted it to commission a further report which has suggested the road should be closed to people, as well as vehicles. That also outlined alternatives including new footpaths over the top of the mountain, and below the existing road, and rebuilding the road but moving the carriageway further back into the mountain which the council had said would cost millions of pounds.
