A COUPLE have launched a challenge against a planned 226-home development in Cwmbran by launching a village green application.

Last year, housing plans on the site of former Llantarnam Comprehensive School were approved by councillors with conditions.

Barratt Homes was asked to provide new sports pitches and measures addressing highway safety and flooding concerns.

Between Thursday, July 13 and Monday, July 17, a hearing was held to consider an application by Nick and Lynne Morgan of Llantarnam Road.

The application, on behalf of the residents of John Fielding gardens, Llantarnam and Oakfield, argues that the land is of “benefit to the community” and is used for sports and recreational use.

If the application is passed, the housing estate plans could be withdrawn.

Mr Morgan, 61, said: “Once the housing has been built you’re never going to get green space back there. It’s an ideal location that has been used for the last 100 years.”

He explained that said the site is an open field which had three rugby pitches and a football and in the last two years it has been used for several activities and by children.

“To be fair to everyone, (the hearing) was well run and everybody was really good, there was no animosity,” he said.

As previously reported, a Barratt Homes Ltd representative said the company had worked closely with highways officers on the application to reduce the number of dwellings from 228 to 226.

He added that the site would be “self contained” and would not exacerbate parking issues off site whilst also “completing the process started by the 21st Century Schools programme”.

A Torfaen County Borough Council spokesman said: “We have engaged an independent inspector to review the application and we expect to receive their recommendation in the autumn.

“The determination of this site as a village green would mean the loss of housing, and also loss of a substantial capital receipt which the council has committed to our 21st Century Schools programme to improve and build new schools in the borough.”