TWO developments which could see more than 400 homes built in Portskewett and Caldicot have been given the green light.

Outline applications to build up to 291 homes on land south of Crick Road near Portskewett and up to 130 homes off Church Road in Caldicot were approved by councillors on Monmouthshire's planning committee on Tuesday.

The development off Crick Road will include 73 affordable homes, seven bungalows and an open play area, as well as a 48-bed care home to provide round-the-clock care for dementia patients.

Councillor Peter Fox, who represents Portskewett and is also a member of the community council, outlined concerns over increasing traffic on Crick Road.

Cllr Fox said the community council recommended approval, and understood the need for housing, but reiterated concerns over the village's infrastructure for the development and traffic issues.

Cllr Louise Brown said she wanted the application deferred over highways concerns, warning that the development would worsen existing traffic issues.

But Robin Williams, representing the applicant, sought to alleviate concerns over highways safety and said the primary access to the site would be via the B4245 rather than Crick Road.

And Cllr Phil Murphy pointed out the site is allocated for housing in the Local Development Plan (LDP).

"This is an exciting development with Melin (Homes), it's a model development and I am hoping it will become a model for other developments to be based on," he said.

Cllr Roger Harris also spoke in support of the application, welcoming the 25 per cent provision of affordable housing and adding that the care home would be "hugely beneficial" to the area.

Councillors gave the plans the green light after Cllr Murphy proposed it was approved.

The plans for development off Church Road, which will include a new community park, also proved contentious.

The development includes some 35 per cent affordable housing but proved controversial as the site is not allocated within the Local Development Plan.

Cllr Jo Watkins, representing Caldicot Castle ward, said the "highly controversial" plans were opposed by the vast majority of residents.

Cllr Watkins raised concerns the development would push walkers towards the nearby Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), potentially affecting the ecology of the site.

Caldicot Town councillor Oliver Edwards also spoke against the plans, voicing worries about the impact on schools, doctors surgeries and traffic issues.

Cllr Brown warned about the "cumulative impact" of allowing developments not allocated for housing within the LDP.

But Roger Hepher, of HGH Consulting, said the detailed application had "left no stone unturned" and that there would be "no defensible reason" to refuse it.

Cllr Maureen Powell also spoke in support, saying that the development would not encroach on the countryside nearby.

She added: "We are all the same we don't want it by our back door but homes are desperately needed."

Another application to build up to 111 homes in Raglan was also given the green light following a heated debate.