LONG-STANDING plans to build a community hub serving the Magor and Undy areas of Monmouthshire have been recommended for approval.

The project to develop the community facility on the Three Fields site between Magor and Undy has been developed by the MUCH (Magor and Undy Community Hub) group alongside Monmouthshire County Council (MCC).

Planning officers have recommended the application is approved when it comes before MCC's planning committee on Tuesday (August 7).

The community hall, measuring 19 by 28 metres, is planned to provide sports facilities, changing rooms, a hall, kitchen and toilet facilities all on a single level.

A planning application submitted to MCC says: "The community hub will be a place where the local communities of Magor and Undy will be able to come together to socialise, take part in leisure, sporting and cultural activities and to be a place for community meetings, events and support networks."

Once it is established MUCH would run the hub with a team of directors and representatives drawn from the community.

The aim of the project is to “create a high quality, energy efficient community facility, by the community, for the community.”

Since being submitted the plans have drawn six letters of support and two objecting.

Those supporting the hub say it is a "superb idea" and "essential for the future of Magor with Undy," according to a council report prepared ahead of the planning committee meeting.

The designs for the hub have also been praised, and the hub is seen as a way of providing more services for young people.

Those objecting said the designs were "out of keeping" with the area and that the hub's appearance will look 'unsightly' from the road.

But a council report says most of these concerns have been addressed.

"The design of the building is well thought out and is appropriate for this type of facility in this location," it adds.

View the plans by searching reference DM/2018/00910 at monmouthshire.gov.uk.