CAMPAIGNERS are gearing up to fight plans to build houses on a Gwent green belt.

A plan has been submitted to Torfaen council to build industrial estates and housing on either side of Malthouse Lane in Llantarnam.

Resident and environmental campaigner Alan Smith, who grew up in Llantarnam, said the development was the final straw in a long-running battle with planners.

He said: "The character of the village has been totally altered. Within 10 years they have changed Llantarnam from a semi-rural area to a concrete and brick link between Newport and Cwmbran."

"Newport council has registered its objections to the plans, on the grounds that it encroaches into green space between Newport and Cwmbran.

"We do not need the extra development - the area does not need any more housing."

Mr Smith is chairman of the John Fielding Development Group, which successfully fought a plan to develop another site in Llantarnam last year - land at the former John Fielding hostel.

But Torfaen council is submitting a fresh application for that development, while it considers an outline planning application for Malthouse Lane. "We wanted local residents to know what was planned, so they had a chance to make their feelings heard," said Mr Smith.

Developers Liberty plan to site industrial units on two fields between Newport Road and the Llantarnam by-pass, south of Abbey fields. The land is currently part of Croes-y-Mwyalch Farm.

A preliminary report by the council says there is a possibility of archaeological remains on the site, which is just south of Llantarnam Abbey.

The developers are also interested in land on the other side of Malthouse lane, with a view to including some residential development. Torfaen's member for Llantarnam, Councillor Jack Hughes said he understood the concerns of residents.

He said: "I need to see a more definitive map of the proposals before I can comment.

"This plan has been around for quite a while - it seems to be marking time."