DEVELOPERS who tried for two years to get permission for a Newport housing development will now be allowed to build a scaled-down version.

Bovis Homes wanted to build on land at Ridgeway Close and Ridgeway Park Road in Newport on the site of former pre-fab bungalows.

Their original intention to build 77 homes was withdrawn and two appeals for 63, then 59 were dismissed.

Now they have been granted planning permission to build 41 homes on the site.

This came despite concerns from residents of increased traffic, loss of character, overcrowding and increased risk of crime.

A number of amendments were also made to the plans at the last planning committee meeting, including arrangements to seal off a potential "rat-run" between houses on the site.

Councillor Les Knight described the number of dwellings originally requested as over the top but said he was willing to approve the plans for 41 homes.

The committee also gave the developers credit for their scaling-down of the project and willingness to adapt the design to allay members' concerns about parking and anti-social behaviour.

Allt-Yr-Yn councillor Matthew Evans said: "There was a sense of inevitability about this development, but we should recognise the considerable progress from the original plans for 77 dwellings, then 63, then 59 and now to 41.

"It should also be recognised there are still some concerns, but this is not a perfect world.

"The reality is that we are unlikely to see a better deal for the vast majority of residents."