Plans for 450 new houses approved

PLANS to sell off around 50 acres of land to build more than 450 homes have been approved by Caerphilly council.

Five sites have been earmarked for disposal – the former Pontllanfraith and Oakdale comprehensive schools, Pontllanfraith House, the former Ty Darren care home in Risca and Bedwellty School playing fields.

Cabinet members have voted to unanimously approve the proposals.

The council will ask for affordable housing of varying quantities at each of the sites as it bids to plug a shortfall.

A “garden village” has been suggested for the former Pontllanfraith Comprehensive site, although a decision will be deferred until the future of the neighbouring leisure centre is resolved.

Councillor Eluned Stenner asked for assurances that schools would not become “overloaded” by demand from new developments.

A planning officer said that schools and other relevant bodies such as Aneurin Bevan University Health Board would be consulted during the allocation of housing sites.

Councillors were also told that potential developers would have to follow the “explicit terms” within the sale contract regarding housing targets.

Council leader Dave Poole welcome the proposals and hit back at criticism of the authority’s housebuilding aspirations. The council hopes the move will complement a new borough-wide housing strategy which aims to build up to 46 new-build council houses, among other projects.

“I’ve received emails where councillors have taken a completely negative affordable stance on building houses anywhere in the county,” said Cllr Poole.

“There are parents and grandparents who would like their children and grandchildren to live in this county.

“I don’t think it’s for us to say we are full, we’ve got to build houses.”

The council’s interim chief executive, Christina Harrhy, hailed the housebuilding proposals as a “fantastic opportunity”.