NEWPORT’S Lib Dem councillor has hit out at an application to build 249 homes on a site near Glan Usk School.

Ed Townsend, councillor for St Julians ward, said planning permission had already been given for 153 houses at the site – but that 249 would place massive burden on local roads.

Green Hill Construction has asked Newport council for planning permission for 249 homes on land south of Glan Usk Primary School, off Herbert Road, Newport.

The application was made a day before workers at the firm were made redundant, with the director of the firm having said it intends to go into administration.

Cllr Townsend said: “The original planning permission was for 153 houses. Now they are asking for 249. That will place a massive burden on the roads.

“The access to this site is through Collier Street – a small terraced street. There are only two ways into the area – Turner Street, which has a single lane underpass and from the traffic light at Clarence Place, which is already over-stretched.”

The councillor, who is the only Lib Dem elected member on the authority, accepts there will be houses built on the site but says the latest application is more than the area can handle.

He added: “Local people would ask the developer to settle for the numbers for which permission has already been given and let them live their lives as peacefully as they can.”