PLANS to build 25 homes in the place of a defunct care facility in Caldicot have been recommended for approval.

The application from Monmouthshire Housing Association (MHA) seeks to demolish the Brookside complex and build homes to satisfy a growing housing demand.

Housing chiefs at the organisation say that around 90 per cent of people on their housing list in the area are for general needs homes for young people and families.

Brookside, a MHA facility itself, was deemed unfit for purpose by the organisation due to outdated facilities and "insufficient demand" for housing for elderly people.

Over the last year, residents have been relocated from the now-vacant site to more suitable accommodation in and around Caldicot.

The proposed homes would be a mix of six three-bedroom houses, 13 two-bedroom houses, two 2-bedroom bungalows and 4 one-bedroom flats.

Car parking will comply with the local authority’s standards of one space per bedroom per property, up to a maximum of three spaces per property.

The application says that visitor parking can be accommodated on the newly proposed road through the new estate, which will lead on from Neddern Way.

Several houses that have submitted objections to the plans, with issues of site design, access and traffic calming measures have been raised throughout the application process.

Concerns were also raised by members of the neighbouring Bethany Baptist Church, which has planning permission to build an extension to the rear of the building.

It was put to MHA by residents and churchgoers that one of the proposed homes would be "metres" away from the extension, but a council report said it would "not be detrimental" to each other.

It adds: "There are several instances whereby residential uses are in close proximity/adjoining church sites and it does not affect the use and amenity of each of the users."

Last month, Caldicot Town Council refused the application with members saying that there was a "lack of consultation" with residents, a claim that MHA refuted.

A council report states that there was a "thorough" pre-consultation with the community prior to the formal application being submitted.

A decision will be made by the Monmouthshire County Council planning committee on Tuesday, February 7.