Contentious plans to build up to 125 homes on the site of former council offices in Pontllanfraith have been backed for approval, despite a petition signed by 1,300.

Caerphilly County Borough Council planners say the benefits of the scheme, in bringing up to 83 affordable homes, outweigh concerns over the impact of the development on the Sir Harold Finch Memorial Park.

A planning report says the housing plan would encroach onto 1.4 hectares of the park, which is around 13% of the overall area.

A petition to save the park from housing development was signed by 1,308 people, saying building on the site would “alter the landscape forever.”

The park was named in memory of the former MP who represented Bedwellty between 1950 and 1970 and it was designated a site of special scientific interest in 1987.

The family of the former MP, who was a champion of miners’ rights and welfare, have said they are distraught about the impact the proposed housing development could have on wildlife and on the park dedicated to their late relative.

But a report says the ‘flagship’ scheme, a collaboration between the council and housing association Pobl, would make a “significant contribution” towards a shortfall of housing in the county borough.

The outline application proposes 66% affordable housing, with 42 social rent homes, 41 low cost ownership and 42 for market sale.

A mixture of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroomed flats and houses are proposed on the former Pontllanfraith House site, which was demolished in 2018.

Planners say the level of housing would bring “a substantial benefit to the local community” which outweighs the loss of part of the memorial park.

But it acknowledges the loss is ’emotive’ and that the park has “a wider meaning to some local residents.”

“It is regrettable that the development would encroach on the park,” a planning report says.

“The determination of the application must, however, be based purely on material planning considerations.

“On that basis, it is considered that the substantial benefit to the housing target outweighs the loss open space.”

A children’s play area will also be lost, but two areas of open space, including one equipped play area, will be provided as part of the scheme.

The plans have been recommended for approval, but they would need to be referred to the Welsh Government as they are not in accordance with a development plan.

The council’s planning committee will consider the application at a meeting on Wednesday, June 17.

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