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Two new homes and garages can be built on land in Rogerstone despite neighbour concerns about two large concrete slabs on the site, Newport City Council’s planning committee has decided.

Applicant Simon Jenkins wants to remove concrete foundations which formed part of a former Welsh Water structure, and build the homes in their place on land near Jessop Close.

But critics are concerned its removal could lead to stability problems on the land, which is next to the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.

Planning officer Adam Foote told councillors permission had already been granted for two homes on the site in 2022, but the new application includes proposals for the garages.

He noted there was “quite a dense area of trees” between the application site and the canal, and said the council’s tree officer had lodged objections to the proposals.

But Mr Foote said planners were “confident” the development would “not have an adverse impact on the protected trees in the area”.

Rogerstone North councillor Chris Reeks told the committee neighbouring residents were concerned about the privacy impacts of the new homes, and of the effect of the concrete foundations’ removal on wildlife.

Cllr Reeks also said there were local concerns about construction vehicles accessing the site.

Committee member Cllr John Jones asked whether removing the concrete foundations could impact the canal banking.

“I don’t have anything before me to say it stabilises the canal bank,” replied Mr Foote. “There is currently an extant permission [for development on the site]. They can be removed anyway.”

He added that council planners “wouldn’t have any control over” the removal of the concrete foundations under the terms of the previously approved planning application for the site.

A majority of committee members voted in favour of granting planning permission, subject to the signing of a Section 106 agreement for the developer to contribute a proposed £4,128 towards off-site affordable housing.