New homes planned for Govilon (From Free Press Series)

New homes planned for Govilon

9:30am Friday 22nd March 2013 in News

A PROPOSAL to build 19 new homes on the site of a former village primary school near Abergavenny has been lodged with the Brecon Beacons planning authority.

The residential development would be built on Govilon Primary School, at The Avenue in Govilon, which closed in 2010 to cut 400 surplus places in the county.

Four months after its closure, the empty building, owned by Monmouthshire council, was gutted in a blaze.

It was demolished two years ago.

The plan for 19 homes, of which four will be ‘affordable,’ includes garages, parking around a ‘village green’ and a children’s play area.

The scheme includes six four-bedroom homes, one three-bedroom home and eight three-bed semi-detached and linked units, as well as four two-bedroom bungalows.

The council consulted with residents last year and said that many of the 80 people who attended the event were generally in favour of the scheme.

However Derek Marsh, of The Avenue said while he welcomed the decision to redevelop the site, a housing estate was not the answer.

“A community centre would be better than housing, said Mr Marsh, 65. “I think an open space will attract more anti-social behaviour.”

Cllr Kevin Williams said: “I have always felt that old school sites should be retained for community use, however we had the discussion and not enough support came forward, so we in Govilon need to explore other avenues now, to improve local facilities for young and old.”