PLANNING permission for a new house to be built at High Trees has been recommended for refusal by Chepstow Town Council's Planning and Administration Committee.

The proposed development saw considerable public interest registered against it and was denied permission after a unanimous decision at the latest committee meeting on Wednesday 26th November.

The proposal was for a new, ultra-modern dwelling within the setting of High Trees, a grade II Listed Georgian house.

The principle reasons for rejection were that the new home would have been out of keeping with the surrounding area and that it would have a detrimental effect on the Chepstow vista.

It was also noted that six mature trees would have had to have been cut down, many with Tree Preservation Orders upon them.

Since High Trees sits within a conservation area, both the design of the house and the threat to the trees were deemed sufficient grounds for refusal.

The meeting became quite heated and the committee's chair had to quell an argument between the proposer and those objecting to the plans during a presentation made before the meeting.