A Llanbradach councillor has written to the Archbishop of Wales to ask him to stop flats being built on the site of a former church.
Councillor Colin Mann, who is also deputy leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, has written to the Reverend Barry Morgan outlining residents’ concerns.
The community has signed a 450-name petition calling for a new health centre to be built on the site of the former All Saint’s Church rather than flats.
Church authorities have submitted a planning application to the council to build flats.
In his letter Cllr Mann wrote: “There are fears that if flats are built they may be let to ‘problem’ tenants. This may seem irrational until you realise the circumstances behind this fear.
“You may recall that a particularly nasty murder happened in Llanbradach earlier this year, when a well-known local lady was the victim of a stabbing less than 100 yards from her home.
“Many of our residents are still very much affected by this event.”