GROUPS fighting a plan to build houses on green space between Pontypool and Cwmbran are considering a legal challenge against Torfaen council.

The council this summer approved a plan to build more than 1,200 houses on green space in south Sebastopol.

A coalition of groups including Fight the Plan, Torfaen Friends of the Earth, and the Gwent Wildlife Trust have fought against the proposals since 1996, and are now discussing an appeal.

Mike Jacob, of campaign group Fight the Plan, said: "We want to go down the legal action route. We had reports from our legal advisers, who say our prospects of success are greater than 50%."

But the cost of such action is holding the groups back.

"The cost could be between £50,000 and £250,000, depending on which way it goes," said Mr Jacob.

"Because of the magnitude of the cost the groups are going back to their management committees to decide what to do.

"We have to go away and reflect on the fact that we agree on a legal challenge, but how do we put that into action?"

The groups will have a decision next month.