WORK to build a new access road on a site earmarked for commerical and housing development has begun.

The housing developer Persimmon is now on-site on land off Merthyr Road, Llanfoist, known as the Westgate site.

The applicant Johnsey Estates UK Ltd was granted planning permission by Monmouthshire council to build 44 new homes on part of the site in 2013.

A bid to open a Costa Coffee in the same application has been deferred for the design to be significantly amended.

Another part of the site will feature commercial development that includes a 61 bed Premier Inn and a Brewer’s Fayre.

Work to build the hotel and restaurant will begin after the new road is complete and is expected to start this year.

Richard Pearson, acquisitions manager for Whitbread Hotels & Restaurants, said the 61-bed hotel represents a significant £5million investment in the town and will create 50 new jobs locally.

He said: “From our previous experience, new Premier Inns typically attract additional visitors to the towns in which they are based, boosting the local economy as visitors use local shops and services.”

Peter Lawson, a director of Cardiff based planning consultants Turley Associates said: “The design of the new buildings was a particular challenge on this gateway site, with bespoke high quality buildings appropriate to the area having been approved.”

The developer is committed to using local materials such as stone for the development and has kept the level of the roof to two storeys in keeping with the bungalow there.

In a separate application, Mcdonald’s is proposing to open a restaurant on another part of the site, creating 65 jobs. The application has yet to be considered by Monmouthshire council’s planning officers.