CONCERNS have been raised by residents over disruption that could be caused by proposals to demolish a care complex in Caldicot.

An application from Monmouthshire Housing Association (MHA) outlines plans to replace the buildings on Neddern Way with 25 dwellings of varying layouts.

In total, 13 two-bedroom homes, six three-bedroom homes, two two-bedroom bungalows and four one-bedroom flats have been proposed.

The 28 parking spaces already onsite will not fit the local authority's standards of one space per bedroom per property, up to a maximum of three spaces per property.

According to the application, visitor's parking will be accommodated by a new road that would run through the estate.

Demand for the use of the MHA facility on Neddern Way, which was built in the 1970s, has fallen in recent years.

It was deemed not fit for purpose in the long-term and is currently vacant, with former residents having been relocated to accommodation elsewhere in the town.

Despite its insufficient usage by the community, eight nearby residents have expressed concerns over traffic and access to the site, noise disruption during the build and the project's design.

However at a consultation held at nearby Dewstow School in October, only 30 percent of respondents admitted to being against the proposals while around 40 percent had concerns about the scheme's design.

Caldicot town councillors voted in favour of refusing the application at its planning committee meeting last week.

A statement sent to Monmouthshire County Council reads: "Caldicot Town Council support developments which bring affordable housing into the area.

"However, significant concerns were expressed regarding the lack of consultation concerning the site and inability of time for consultations during the pre-application process."

However, a MHA spokesman said that the organisaiton had gone "signifcantly further" than statuory requirement dictates for the pre-application consultation.

He said: "A public consultation was held at Dewstow Primary School on October 11, with invitations sent to some 350 local households and advertised in the local paper, which is greater than the statutory requirement for Pre-Application Consultation.

"MHA also held a pre-application meeting with Monmouthshire County Council on October 26 and has completed all statutory planning requirements."

Dewstow ward member Councillor Tony Easson abstained from the recorded vote on the town council's response, citing the need to "have an open mind to take residents' views on board".

Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Frank Rowberry also voiced his desire for there to be more bungalows in the new plans.

It was also revealed at the meeting that there was an incident at the previous Severnside committee meeting involving a resident and Cllr Easson.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Easson said: "A member of the public burst into the meeting alleging that we were having secret meetings, and not informing the public. His allegations were directed to me in particular.

"It took a few minutes to bring order to the meeting, the officers of Monmouthshire County Council were not impressed."

In light of growing concerns over the application, a special meeting of the Severnside committee has been called for Wednesday, January 25, at Bethany Baptist Church.

The meeting will start at 2pm.