RESIDENTS of the Hereford Road in Monmouth are celebrating after Monmouth Town Council's planning committee made a u-turn on a decision to recommend approval for a new five-bedroom house.

Prof Elizabeth Wright has submitted an application to Monmouthshire County Council for a new development at the Moat House, 7 Hereford Road - inside the conservation area - just three months after having a smaller four-bed house turned down.

Local residents were thus shocked when planners recommended the new larger house be built. But at last week's meeting, campaigner Adrian Powdrill, of 10 Hereford Road, was delighted when the committee backed down and opted to re-consider.

Mr Powdrill has organised a petition, backed by some 20 neighbours, objecting to the build. He said: "This proposed five bedroomed house is larger than that already rejected on the grounds that the design was not in keeping and the plot was too small, not withstanding the blind entrance onto a busy main road.

"It appears to be the same size as the two adjacent semi-detached dwellings. This is totally out of keeping. If the smaller proposal was adjudged too big for the plot how will this fit?"

And Jack Miles, of 18 Hereford Road, adds: "Because a building of this size will block out a lovely view of White Hill and surrounding countryside, this in turn will detract from the overall charm of Hereford Road for all the adjoining houses."

Town councillor Ann Were has now confirmed that the planning committee will look at the plans again at their next meeting, on Tuesday, April 19, before offering their recommendation to the County Council.