A PLAN to build nine homes on a community green has been opposed by neighbours and residents in the area.

An application for the homes – submitted in November 2016 – could affect land by Adit Walk and Maendy Way in Pontnewydd, Cwmbran, on a area of green space flanked by houses.

While the decision on the site’s future remains uncertain, with the application set to go before Torfaen County Borough Council’s planning department in the future, residents have called for action to protect the green space.

This includes an application to get the Bron Afon housing association-owned land retrospectively classed as a village green alongside a petition opposing the development which has attracted around 50 signatures.

Richard Todd, of Adit Walk, said: “It has been going on since November last year and we have had numerous meetings with Bron Afon and the application is ongoing.

“We haven’t got any green left anywhere and we’re surrounded by the new housing all around.

“It’s a green that has been in existence since back in the 1950s and they want to build nine houses.”

Environmental group Torfaen Friends of the Earth (TFE) have also formally objected to the development drafting a nine-point list of objections.

The concerns from TFE co-ordinator Carole Jacob, on behalf of the group, range from the reduction of green space, proposed increases in traffic and air pollution and the removal of the ability of parents to watch children play safely close to home.

The group also expressed concerns over geology, flooding and parking.

A Torfaen council spokesman said: “We’re currently waiting on specialist advice before a decision on how to proceed with this application can be made.

“Once that has been received we will produce a report for the council’s licensing committee to consider and make a decision.”

Bron Afon confirmed that village green status decision lies with Torfaen council.