A PROPOSAL to build ten 'glamping' pods at a site in Monkswood has been recommended for approval despite a complainant saying they look like 'giant pig sties'.

Monmouthshire County Council's planning committee are due to discuss the site, adjacent from Fair Oak along Rumble Street, which could feature ten of the 'glamorous camping' structures, a utility of services block and parking area.

The structures will not be used between September 30 in any one year and March 1 in the succeeding year and will be stored on the car parking area.

If the application is approved, construction of the site must begin within five years of the permission being given.

According to STEAM statistics (Scarborough Tourism Activity Monitor) staying visitors to Monmouthshire made up 71 per cent of the £173m generated by tourism in 2014.

The county council's tourism officer stated that while the glamping site would contribute to such figures, an extension of its availability would increase the site's the "financial viability".

Planning permission was initially refused by the council in August 2015 due to the application's failure to provide any ecological information.

The plans posed risks to priority habitats, Great Coed Cae Ddu site of importance to nature conservation and legally protected species including bats, dormouse, nesting birds, reptiles and amphibians.

Following revisions, the biodiversity officer decided not to raise an ecological objection to the scheme after plans to plant hedgerows and trees along the northern boundary were included in the proposal.

They said: "The new use for the site and enhancement of the sward and management should provide long term benefits for biodiversity."

Llanbadoc Community Council have recommended that it be approved while noting the number of complaints from residents.

The plans have received objections from nine properties in the area who suggested that the site would bring excessive traffic.

Other complaints included Rumble Street having several blind bends and having a poorly maintained surface.

Another complainant said that the pods "looked like giant pig sties".

The planning committee will make a decision on Tuesday July 5.