ATTEMPTS to change the allocation of housing sites contained in Monmouthshire's Local Development Plan were rejected at a full County Council meeting last week.

At a five-hour long meeting held at Caldicot Leisure Centre, local councillors tried to remove the proposed development of 250 homes at the Mardy, introduce a senior care village at Llanfoist; and change the status of Llanfair Kilgeddin.

The viability of Grosmont as a 'main village', suitable for development, was also questioned during the lengthy debate.

But on each occasion the individual motions were overruled one by one by the Conservative controlled council.

Rob Field, the chairman of Mardy Against Deri Development group questioned the authority by suggesting that if the scheme were to go ahead it would not comply with its own policies.

While John Cadman believed that the only practical effect of the re-designation of Llanfair Kilgeddin to become a main village in the LDP was to allow for the construction of two houses in what would normally be classed as open countryside.

Robert Moggridge from the Action for Sustainable Grosmont, asked why the small community should be identified as a main village, which was suitable for small-scale residential development when there is no public transport to Grosmont?

A proposal to include a development on the Old Hereford Road in Abergavenny was also rejected by councillors, despite pleas made by Susanna Edwards acting for the land owner who said it was an ideal location as it was in such close proximity to Abergavenny town centre and local schools.

Another proposal for inclusion into the LDP was the Senior Care Village scheme at Llanfoist.

This was also rejected despite pleas from the agent acting for Ben Jones, the owner of Grove Farm.

In response to the care village scheme Councillor Geoff Burrows said, "People are living longer and one of our core principles is for people to remain in their own homes for as long as possible.

"There is already a similar scheme in the north of the county, which still largely remains unoccupied.

"There are also the objections from Llanfoist residents as they have taken more than their fair share of development in the last few years."

The lack of changes to the LDP was not confined just to Abergavenny and its surroundings, with councillors throughout the county met with a similar response.

The LDP was finally adopted by the council when, in a recorded vote, 23 members voted in favour of the scheme with 17 voting against.

Councillor Bob Greenland said,"After five hours we have finally reached a democratic decision.

"We have now debated the LDP at length and have completed phase seven of 11.

"The report will go on to be debated at a Public Inquiry, which will be held over a number days next year and this will give an opportunity for each of the sites to be looked at in detail by a planning inspector.

"We are looking forward to the next stage in the process, which will ultimately bring forward more affordable housing in Monmouthshire when the plan is adopted."