TWO hundred homes could be built on the edge of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty under plans submitted to Monmouthshire council.

Barratt Homes is behind an outline planning application to develop a "sustainable new community" on land at Bayfield in Chepstow.

The site is made up of three fields with a derelict barn, located between the AONB to one side and the 'built form' of Chepstow to the other.

Up to 200 homes could be built, including 35 per cent affordable housing, with the exact number to be revealed when a reserved matters application is put forward with more detail on the plans.

A statement from Barratt Homes says: "The residential development will provide a range and choice of high quality housing, including affordable homes which will be set within an attractive landscape led environment, with building forms which respond to local character and the site’s context.

"As a result, a new positive development edge and transition to the adjoining Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty will be created.

"The provision of a green corridor and green spaces will cater for local residents, promoting healthy, happy living."

Highways improvements, including creating a new vehicular access off the B4235 are also outlined.

A planning statement says the plans would not change the relationship between the AONB and the settlement.

Much of the housing would be located on lower ground, where it is not visible from the majority of the AONB, it is said.

"The proposed residential development would appear as a minor extension of the built edge and not as an isolated new development," the statement says.

A 'substantial landscape buffer' would also be created along the boundary with the AONB.

MP for Monmouth David Davies has called for assurances over the impact on highway capacity and air quality, since the plans were lodged.

In a letter to head of planning at the council, Mark Hand, he said: "There are fears that the large number of houses being proposed will significantly impact the local infrastructure as roads in the area are already highly congested and will also affect pollution levels."

The plans can be viewed at monmouthshire.gov.uk, searching reference DM/2019/00013.