CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 40 affordable homes in Brynmawr will go ahead after the Planning Inspectorate overturned an earlier decision to reject the proposals.

Melin Homes first submitted plans to build 40 homes on land at Factory Road, Brynmawr, in June 2010.

The plans included six bungalows, 25 one, two and three-storey homes, nine flats, and the replacement of an existing scout hut.

The proposals were amended at the beginning of this year to reduce the number of social rented units to 16, but the application was rejected by Blaenau Gwent council's planning committee in February after more than 50 letters and emails of objection.

Residents were concerned about drainage and flooding, traffic and parking issues, loss of views, the future of the scout hut, the possibility of bats on the site, and the need for the development.

But Melin lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate for Wales, and planning inspector Richard Poppleton last week overturned the council's decision.

In his report, Mr Poppleton said the design and conditions attached to the planning permission meant flooding would not be worsened by the development.

He added that landscaping would "offset the loss" of any existing vegetation on the site, and that the new position of the scout hut would not be any more dangerous than its current location.

Residents and local councillors said they were hugely disappointed with the Planning Inspectorate's decision.

Brendan O'Leary lives on Alma Street, and his house over looks the development site.

He said: "The drainage is really in a very bad state.

"We're not objecting to to the principle of them building more houses, but that they're going to use the existing facilities with total disregard for the residents that are already here."

Linda Reakes, also of Alma Street, said: "I have seen raw sewerage running down the road and this has been going on for years. More homes in the area will put a strain on the system."

Brynmawr ward members Cllr John Hopkins and Cllr David Lyn Elias said they were disappointed with the decision, but they were having meetings with Welsh Water and the Environment Agency to resolve the problems.

Melin Homes' chief executive Mark Gardner said the company was very pleased with the appeal outcome.