Business buildings in Newport are to be demolished for new affordable housing after the applicant Pobl won approval by the city council’s planning committee. Plans to build the nine new homes at 1-4 Trostrey Street in the Barnardtown area of the city means current occupants including a car storage company and a repairs unit must relocate.
There are currently more than 2,400 households in Newport with active housing applications seeking accommodation in the area. Newport’s current local housing market assessment shows an annual shortfall of 17 affordable housing units in St Julians. But the application has been controversial.
One trader working from the Trostrey Street units told WalesOnline: “We’re not happy about it, of course we’re not - but it is what it is.” Neighbours described the units as “old” and “an eyesore”, but they said those trading from them have been respectful of the residents and will be missed.
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LRJ Planning’s report states: “The site has been vacant many times and is currently only partially occupied. An opportunity exists to provide suitable beneficial reuse of the site and provide much-needed housing in an area identified by Pobl and Newport Housing, and to prevent the site from becoming a target for anti-social behaviour.”
The nine new homes at the Turner Street side of the road will comprise six three-bed dwellings and three two-bed dwellings. But it has drawn a largely negative reaction from those already living there, who say the road is being used as a rat run.
Housing association Pobl says nine off-street parking spaces will be provided - a shortfall of two spaces which, according to LRJ, can be “easily accommodated on surrounding streets”. It cited sustainability criteria in the supplementary planning guidance. A parking assessment concluded that demand could be met “comfortably”.
But Highways Officer Anthony Novis concluded in March: “This application raises a number of highways concerns and I would therefore offer an objection and recommend refusal. However, should the applicant submit additional information to address the concerns then further consideration would be given.” However, the officer’s final report found the parking plans to be acceptable.
Neighbour Shelly Whiting wrote to the council: “I personally object to these houses being built. Just the other end of the street there are nine houses being built, the traffic is horrendous in this small residential street. Cars are racing up the street at 70mph, cutting off Caerleon Road.
“The end house in Trostrey Street should have bollards as a dead end. It stops speeding cars cutting through from Bath Street, and will stop cars cutting through from Turner Street. It’s a very dangerous street. Wanting to add more traffic without sorting out the problem is crazy.”
Juliette Shearman, who lives on Turner Street, said: “I am in favour of the area being tidied up as it is an eyesore. That being said, the businesses operating there at present are good neighbours.
“I am concerned about parking. The photos in the application are certainly not typical and if you come in the middle of the day you will see the struggle for spaces.
“I also want to ensure that there is consultation with the homeowners as removing the building to the rear of properties 3-5 Turner Street will affect aspects of our properties, removing the backs of our garden space. Also, looking at access and security, we have been blighted with burglaries in the past and opening up the back of the properties leaves the properties vulnerable again.” The officer’s report states a 1.8m high boundary wall will remain around the properties during the construction period.
Khayrul Alam objected to the planning application, saying: “The street definitely needs to be blocked off on one side with a no entry sign or at very least speed ramps. People speed so much and some cars are hitting 50mph and the houses shake. There are kids here and we’ve seen several near misses.
“There will be extra cars and traffic and the lighting is poor on the street. It will cause anti-social behaviour to increase and with more people using the street it will lead to major problems.”
READ MORE:
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- 'I've lost everything' Man who has lived in sprawling shipping container home for 30 years evicted by council
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