PERMISSION is being sought to build 15 flats bordering Chepstow Castle, with the plans amounting to ‘vandalism’ according to nearby residents.

The application for the aged care flats behind Castle Dell car park has been recommended for refusal after receiving more than 40 objections from members of the public and local groups.

Having been turned down by Chepstow Town Council in 2012, the application is set to come before the Monmouthshire County Council Planning Committee on Tuesday 7th March.

In a long-running dispute over building on the wooded site, the current plan would see units built in two linked, three storey blocks. Further private parking would also be built.

The current application comes on the back of extant permission which was given to build a three storey office block in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

While some work was started on the previous building, the area has since become overgrown and had been used for fly tipping.

According to the planning committee report if there had been no planning history the application would have been refused outright, but the new application was considered to be an improvement over the office block proposal.

However, the report said: “Having researched the matter further since it was reported to planning committee in August 2015, officers now contend that the fall-back position is not realistic and therefore is not a justification for allowing

new build residential development in this sensitive location.

“It is now considered that it is extremely unlikely that the approved office block would be built and therefore the fall-back position is unrealistic.”

In addition, the report also cites the impact on the Chepstow Conservation Area from such a dominant building, the impact on Chepstow Castle by extending the building line closer and the lack of vehicular access.

CADW, in its role as custodian of Chepstow Castle, has objected to the application on the grounds of its potential “significant affect on the setting of Chepstow Castle”.

The proposal has received objections from Chepstow Society, Tidenham Historical Group and others.

One objector, Mark Kirwin, owner of Chepstow Therapy Centre which backs onto the site, is glad to see the plan is recommended for refusal.

“I am extremely happy to hear this recommendation although this guy has been persistent so it won’t be over until the nails are in the coffin,” he said.

Like many of the objections received, Mr Kirwin opposed the development on a number of fronts.

“I probably have this in common with everyone in that my problem is with what it will do to the wider environment. It’s a terrible building to put there.

“That view from the castle is a classic, it is a jewel in the crown of Chepstow and putting something there would be vandalism.”

Mr Kirwin also noted the problems with access and extra traffic and its proximity to his property.

“It is the worst possible thing that could happen, we have a nice walled garden and it is a real sanctuary, we have children and families use it.

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“Instead we would have this building wrapped around it.”