Plan aims to have 10,000 new homes and 7,400 jobs for Newport

The local development plan (LDP) was given the go-ahead at a full Newport City Council meeting on Tuesday, to set out planning framework until 2026.

Six councillors abstained from the vote, with one voting against the LDP, many in protest of the inspector’s ruling that the traveller site at Hartridge Road Farm should be retained.

Last month, planning inspector Alwyn Nixon confirmed the plan was sound and that projections that 7,400 new jobs will be brought to the city by the end of the plan are realistic.

He also discussed traveller and gypsy site allocations in the plan and found the controversial Hartridge Farm Road site to be appropriate.

“Overall, I find the Hartridge Farm Road allocation to be a rational and justified response to the identified need, with no overriding reason why the allocation should not be retained,” he said.

Some amendments to the plan were agreed during the examination process, including deleting the former Ringland allotments as a transit site for gypsies and travellers and instead inserting a target for another site to be identified by the end of 2017.

Council leader Bob Bright, who voted in favour of the plan, said he was “disappointed” that the planning inspector did not recommend removing the Hartridge Farm Road site from the plan.

Labour Councillor Emma Corten, who abstained from the vote, said she had a duty to the residents of Ringland not to vote in favour of the plan due to the Hartridge site.

Cabinet Member Deb Davies however highlighted the positives of the plan. She said: “The economic benefits of the plan are clear for all of us and the plan will have countless social benefits as well.”

Planning Committee Chairman Paul Hannon agreed, stating the plan will allow for “more development, more employment and more regeneration through the city.”

“I think the plan should be something we’re really proud that we’ve done,” he added.