LONG-STANDING plans to build a community hub serving the Magor and Undy areas of Monmouthshire have been given the go-ahead.

Monmouthshire County Council's (MCC) planning committee gave unanimous approval to the plans for a community facility on the Three Fields site between Magor and Undy at a meeting on Tuesday.

The plans developed by the MUCH (Magor and Undy Community Hub) group alongside MCC will see the hub provide a range of events for the community including music and drama, sports facilities and a venue for meetings.

Ward councillors Lisa Dymock (The Elms ward) and Frances Taylor (Mill) gave full backing to the plans.

A statement written by Cllr Dymock was read out at the meeting which said the hub was much-needed in the area to prevent issues of anti-social behaviour and loneliness.

She said: "It pains me to say there is no where for teenagers to go in Magor and Undy except for McDonald's at Magor services as I am sure you will agree this is not an appropriate environment for our youth to use as a meeting place."

Cllr Dymock added that the hub will act as a place to "bring the community together."

Cllr Jim Higginson (Severn) said the plans were "long overdue" and that the hub was needed to meet demand as new houses are planned for the area.

"The people of Magor and Undy have been looking at this for many many years," he added.

And Cllr Louise Brown (Shirenewton) also expressed her support, adding that the need for meeting places in the community is "vastly underestimated."

The project was also praised for its use of solar panels and environmental credentials by councillors.

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

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

The aim is to create a facility "by the community, for the community."