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A developer will have another three years to produce final plans for a housing development on the site of Oakdale Comprehensive School.

Caerphilly Homes, which is Caerphilly County Borough Council’s housing organisation, has already secured planning permission for up to 99 new properties there.

Members of the council’s planning committee approved a request, on Wednesday May 14, for a time extension to submit a so-called reserved matters application, as well as a potential redesign of a block of flats and possible changes to play areas on the site.

Case officer Helen Winsall said the proposed redesign could leave a corner of the development without an open space previously included in the plans.

Cllr Shane Williams said he had a “slight concern that flexibility might lead to a downgrading of that open space”.

A play space could be “lost” and “replaced with a natural area”, added Cllr Greg Ead.

Ms Winsall said council planners had an “expectation it will be designed as a good quality play area”, and its design would be “dealt with by a condition” at the reserved matters stage.

“I wouldn’t see it as a downgrade in quality, it’s just going to be a different approach,” she added.