PEOPLE attending a public meeting have given a cautious welcome to the proposed multi-million pound development of the Rolls of Monmouth Golf Club.

As reported in the Argus, Gwent is set for its second world class golf resort with a £35 million investment in the pipeline for the Rolls of Monmouth parkland club at Rockfield.

The development, due to be completed in 2005, would see the venue transformed into an international hotel spa and golf resort, creating around 300 jobs.

It follows on the heels of the Celtic Manor Resort at Newport's successful bid to host the 2010 Ryder Cup.

At a packed public meeting at Rockfield Church this week, the general consensus was in support of the project.

But some residents - fearful to what extent surrounding woodland could be lost if the proposal goes ahead - are demanding an environmental impact report be carried out. Other concerns include an increase in traffic volume.

Rolls of Monmouth Golf Club member and Rockfield resident Tony Bevan said after the meeting: "The general consensus was in favour but that we must have an environmental report.

"The Mansion House if not developed would become beyond repair, and of course 200-300 jobs would be created.

"The developers have assured club members they will be meeting with all those concerned to minimise any environmental costs."

He added: "They plan to restore the original road from Rockfield to the Hendre Estate which should ease some of these traffic fears."

John Edwards, a member of the original Rolls Action group that opposed development plans ten years ago, said: "The principle of developing the Mansion House into a hotel is not a problem, but it is the scale of the development that's the main issue."

Farmer Jim Price said: "The Mansion House will eventually rot away and as a farmer for all my life I have enough countryside wildlife on my land to stock the whole of Monmouthshire."

Monmouth AM David Davies said: "I suggest that the Rolls Action Group should reform and together we can talk with the developers over their plans, so that whatever development eventually gets the go-ahead will benefit Monmouth and the surrounding villages."

The plan has yet to be discussed by Monmouth-shire council.

*PICTURED: The Rolls of Monmouth golf club could be transformed into an international resort.