Paper Mill housing plans set for approval

Plans for a development of more than 200 homes on the site of the former Sudbrook Paper Mill in Caldicot are set to be given the green light by councillors after concerns over affordable housing were addressed.Bilfinger GVA, on behalf of Harrow Estates and Redrow, has submitted an application for the 25-acre brownfield site.The plans propose 192 open-market houses with a further 20 affordable units. A play area and public open space are also included.The site has been earmarked for housing under the local development plan for the area.Plans for the a 209-home development on the site went before councillors in October 2015 with planning consent refused after concerns were expressed over a lack of affordable housing provision.The applicant has previously lodged an appeal over the non-determination of this application which is being held in abeyance pending the outcome of the current scheme.The new application will go before Monmouthshire County Council’s planning committee on 7 June 2016 with a report prepared for the meeting recommending approval.This is subject to the agreement of a Section 106 order that would secure financial contributions of about £840,000 for transport and education.The council had sought a 25 per cent affordable housing provision, but an independent assessment by the district valuer concluded that the scheme was not viable at a level above the proposed 9.4 per cent.