PLANS to build 25 homes in the place of a Caldicot care complex have been given the green light.

Monmouthshire County Council's planning committee unanimously approved the scheme which will replace the Brookside site on Neddern Way.

The former Monmouthshire Housing Association (MHA) facility is now vacant after all of its residents were relocated within the last six months to more suitable accommodation in and around the town.

The application, submitted by MHA itself, will look to satisfy an “acute” demand for social housing in the area.

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.

Objections to the layout of the estate have been made by residents during the pre-application stages.

The neighbouring Bethany Baptist Church, which has planning permission to build an extension to the rear of the building, had raised concerns over the close proximity of two of the proposed homes with its building.

It also has planning permission to build an extension to the rear of the church which, when built, would be within 12 to 15 feet of the homes.

Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Tony Easson, ward member for Dewstow, said: “By orientating the houses straight up and round would create a buffer that would be suitable for the resident’s houses and for the church.”

Cllr Easson also suggested changes to the current road layout but a MHA spokesman said such alterations would “result in an inferior design which would not be acceptable to the applicant or planning officers”.

Another objection was made by Neddern Way resident Calvin Parker, who believes that the same properties that would infringe on the church overlook onto his property.

Speaking on behalf of nearby residents, he added: “We’re not opposed to the development, just the entrance road.”

Council chairman Jim Higginson told members that the council “could be heading for trouble” if the application was refused.

The Caldicot councillor also opposed resident’s views that the road layout would increase traffic in and around the site.

He added: “There were 48 units in [Brookside] and if it was fully occupied, there would be considerably more traffic than there will be under these proposals.”