A PIECE of council-owned land in Newport worth up to £40,000 to the taxpayer has been handed over to a social housing developer – for free.

Newport City Council has agreed to hand over the 750 sq m piece of open space off Monnow Way in Bettws to Newport City Homes, despite it being valued at between £35,000 and £40,000.

A report presented to the council’s cabinet member for finance and resources councillor Mark Whitcutt – who signed off the decision – said being given the land will allow the developer to build four new homes, making 12 affordable homes on the site in total. A report presented to cllr Whitcutt said Newport City Homes would not be able to complete the development without the land.

Despite the loss of a potential income, council members approved the plan, with Labour ward member cllr Val Delahaye saying she “totally supported” the idea.

“Their scheme for building on this plot is really good and will provide much needed accommodation,” she said.

“It would be a shame to have to reduce the scheme which I understand is what would happen if the land was not available.

“I applaud the idea of the council and Newport City Homes working closer together in order to improve the lives of residents.”

Independent ward member cllr Kevin Whitehead said, while he was not against handing the land over, he was disappointed the authority was not making redundant council-owned land and buildings available for community use.

“Newport City Council has not been charitable in any way to us as a community when surely they realise that our estate’s infrastructure is badly lacking,” he added.

“The fact that so many new planning applications for both social and private housing have been granted on our hugely populated area highlights the case for a community hub to cater for an ever increasing populace.”

In a written response Cllr Whitcutt said the authority was in favour of making buildings available to the wider community, but council guidelines said a number of considerations had to be taken into account such as whether the facility would be properly managed.

To view the full report on the transfer visit newport.gov.uk.