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Council planners have turned down a developer’s proposals for a new retaining structure at the Gelli Farm housing development in Blackwood.
Taylor Wimpey is leading the construction of up to 164 homes after full planning permission was granted in 2021.
The firm had applied for a ‘non-material amendment’ to the approved plans, providing fuller details on a proposed ‘crib wall retaining structure’ along the site’s western boundary, near existing homes at Cwmgelli Villas.
But Caerphilly County Borough Council planners have refused planning permission for the amendment, arguing the plans fail to provide enough detail on how the changes could affect some of the proposed plots.
They have also warned the plans did not include information about how the ‘crib wall’ structure would affect drainage infrastructure and an existing culvert.
“The submitted information does not provide sufficient detail to establish the final appearance of the retaining structures, the extent of any changes to approved rear garden arrangements, the impact on the approved landscaping scheme including the existing trees and hedgerow along Cwmgelli Villas, or the implications of the revised levels and retaining structures for drainage and infrastructure,” the council planners said.
In their findings, the officers added those issues were relevant to both residents of Cwmgelli Villas and future occupiers of the new housing development.
Blackwood councillors Nigel Dix, Kevin Etheridge and Andrew Farina-Childs all raised concerns about the proposed amendment, arguing the height of the retaining structure could lead to “greater intrusion” and loss of light for existing residents.
In addition, the council received several representations from neighbours, over concerns around the embankment’s size and stability, and calls for reassurance the structure would not lead to surface water run-off or flooding.
Previously, a Taylor Wimpey spokesperson said the firm was “working hard to resolve any issues relating to the drainage on the development”.
Following the council’s refusal to grant planning permission, Cllr Dix – who has repeatedly warned about the flooding concerns of existing neighbours – called the move “the right decision” and said he already had concerns about the height of the new development and its impact on people living at Cwmgelli Villas.