AROUND 60 residents met in Llantarnam this week to discuss their concerns about future development in the village.

Residents met at Llantarnam Church Hall on Tuesday night to share their views on proposals suggested for Llantarnam as part of the Torfaen Local Development Plan.

The proposal consists of a mix of residential and industrial development for the area.

But ward councillor Paul Williams, who led the meeting, questioned why industrial development is needed in Torfaen as he said a large proportion of the industrial units in the borough are empty.

One resident suggested that Springvale Industrial Estate is refurbished to entice new companies rather than creating new industrial units.

Cllr Williams said the transport infrastructure in the area would not be able to sustain this type of development and referred to the impact on the environment and wildlife.

Carol Parry, who has lived in Pentre Lane for 30 years, said bats, badgers, and owls can be seen where she lives as well as kingfishers in Llantarnam Abbey, She said: "I paid for that in the value of my property. I wanted to live in the countryside."

One resident said development would increase demand on doctors surgeries in the area.

He said Grange Clinic has already taken on people from Malpas Surgery.

"If they’re going to build 450 houses there’s going to be another 2,000 people. I don’t think Grange Clinic is going to be able to take them on."

Cllr Williams also referred to three sites in the area that would be impacted by any development in the area.

He said the National Grid electricity sub station would have large effects on people living on or close to it.

He also referred to the Parkway Hotel which he said is dependent on holiday trade and Llantarnam Abbey which he said needs isolation.

Cllr Williams called on residents to send their views to the council before the consultation period ends on May 31.

He said a four week consultation exercise will then be carried out by the council in June with nearby households.

Several people volunteered to join a committee which will try to organise a pre-consultation meeting with the council.

FOLLOWING the meeting, John Woodcock, owner of The Parkway Hotel, told the Argus that any development would be "catastrophic" to his business.

Mr Woodcock designed and built the hotel 25 years ago which he has invested several million pounds in over the years and employs 100 local people.