DEVELOPERS have been asked to revise plans to build a house in Raglan described as a “humongous mass”.

An application to build a two-storey detached home in the back garden of a property in Caestory Avenue has drawn 60 registered objections.

Monmouthshire County Council’s planning committee heard from some objectors, including Raglan Community Council, at a meeting on Tuesday.

The council say the development would have a “detrimental impact” on neighbouring houses in The Willows and Ethley Drive, as well as traffic implications.

Jonathan Pope, an Ethley Drive resident representing other residents, disputed claims by planning officers that the designs were in keeping with the area.

“We’re very concerned about some of the factual inaccuracies and misleading statements in the reports,” he said.

“The proposal is 8.3 metres high at the ridgeline – this is 1.1 metres higher than the next highest in the vicinity, so it’s not similar in ridge height to neighbouring properties as stated.

“This proposal is four times bigger in square footage than the next largest house in the vicinity.”

Mr Pope continued: “The officer says it uses materials and has a design in keeping with the vicinity. It mentions grey window frames, wooden doors, dormers and grey slate roofs.

“There are no houses in Caestory Avenue, The Willows or Ethley Drive that have these features. There are dormers in the Willows but they are completely different.”

Mr Pope claimed the development would create additional risk of more vehicles exiting and entering the property, describing the road as an “already treacherous double-blind bend”.

Mr Pope added: “I reiterate the objections – too high, too wide, too long which leads to a humungous mass and bulk that overbears and overshadows.”

Conservative councillor Phil Murphy said the design was “quite acceptable” but noted that the location was not, adding: “I can’t support the present proposal.”

Independent councillor Debby Blakebrough said: “I’m concerned about the size, it’s far too high. It is too bulky.

“I’m not a great fan of garden grabbing, I think in England they’ve got powers to prevent this but in Wales we haven’t.

“But Labour councillor Roger Harris said: “This is incongruous in its setting and massing but we have a policy that we do allow this sort of development in gardens.

“We’ve got so many over the county, we can’t suddenly get precious about ones that are coming forward now.”

Conservative councillor Maureen Powell moved that the application be deferred for the developers to resubmit revised plans next month, a move which was subsequently approved.

“I don’t think outright refusal is right at this moment,” Cllr Powell added.

“The number of comments from committee should make the developers realise that we don’t want to see something of this size on the plot.”