AN Assembly planning inspector has given the go-ahead for an enclosed activity area at Usk Prison, despite objections from the Civic Society and local residents.

Cllr John Harrhy spoke out against the scheme when it was considered by the county planning committee and they refused to give permission, but the Prison Service has won the appeal, conducted by the inspector, Anthony Vaughan.

Cllr Harrhy said local people who were against the development were disappointed by the inspector's decision. He added: "The people living in Priory Gardens are very disappointed, the inspector has not taken their privacy into consideration."

The site is in the conservation area and is flat pasture land at the back of the prison building, which is Grade-II listed. The ground is contained within the Roman Legionary Fortress of Usk which was excavated between 1965 - 71. A public footpath runs nearby and the rear of the four houses in Priory Gardens face the site.

The project will provide prisoners with an external games area, changing facilities and an allotment. The mesh security fence on three sides will be five metres high with solid steel panels forming a complete screen halfway up, and there will be two coils of barbed wire on top.

In reaching his decision, Mr Vaughan concluded that the project would have a neutral effect on the conservation area and would not harm the setting of the listed prison building.

He said: "It would not impair the living conditions of neighbours or infringe the well-being of those who pass the site."