CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a £2.9million hospice on Newport woodland were rejected by city councillors.

Newport-based charity St David’s Foundation Hospice Care lodged the planning application in November last year to build the new hospice and chemotherapy outreach clinic on land in Beechwood, known locally as Woodland Park.

But at a planning committee meeting on Wednesday, councillors voted against plans for the hospice which would have provided day care and chemotherapy for about 1,450 patients a year.

The Argus reported on Tuesday how council officers were recommending the plans should be refused on grounds that the development would result in the loss of designated environmental space and established woodland, that the centre would have an overbearing impact on neighbouring houses and that the building would disturb protected species and their habitats.

Residents also opposed the plans claiming it would lead to the loss of valuable green space and wildlife in a park used regularly by residents.

Speaking at the meeting, local resident Jayne Arthur, of Eveswell Park Road, said: “All the residents very much support the work of St David’s Foundation but the woodland is an important amenity which is used all the time. We do not want it turned into a concrete jungle.”

Chairman of the committee Cllr Les Knight and deputy chairwoman of the committee Cllr Valerie Dudley voted for the application to go ahead.

Cllr Knight said it was important to put into balance the importance of human lives while Cllr Dudley said it was important for the council to support St David’s Foundation as much as they could.

Cllrs Bob Poole, John Fortey and Carmel Townsend all voted against the application.

They said that although they supported the work of St David’s Foundation, they did not think the woodland was the best area for the hospice.

Hospice charity 'disappointed' at decision.

Following the decision, Chief Executive of St David’s Foundation Hospice Care, Emma Saysell said they were “disappointed” with the decision.

She said: “This new building is a vital component in our work to provide end of life care to people in their own homes as well as making available a much needed new day hospice for the people of Newport.”

Ms Saysell thanked everyone who had supported the application and said they would look at the reasons why the planning was refused over the next few weeks before deciding on the next steps.

Assembly Member for Newport East, John Griffiths called on Newport Council to work closely with St David’s Foundation following the decision to identify the best way forward.

He said: “St David’s Foundation do a great deal of really important work that benefits people and their families. This new service is really needed for the people of Newport.”