AN OUTLINE planning application to demolish a set of unused industrial buildings in Caerleon and build 16 new homes have been given the green light.

But concerns have been raised around the impact of the development on pollution in the area, where studies have found air quality is already extremely poor.

The application, which was approved by Newport City Council's Planning Committee yesterday, Wednesday, involves two detached four-bedroom houses, seven three-bedroom houses and seven two-bedroom flats on a site off Forge Close.

Speaking at the meeting ward member Cllr Gail Giles said she was seriously concerned about the level of development in the town.

She said: "How many houses have been built in Caerleon over the past 15 years?Hundreds.

"How many cars has that brought into Caerleon? Thousands."

All the homes will be designated as affordable housing, with an agreement with social housing provider Melin Homes reportedly in the process of being signed. And documents presented to committee members have shown there are currently 1,656 people on the social housing waiting list in Caerleon, including 799 single people and 531 families.

But Cllr Giles said she was not convinced this outweighed the potential damage caused by the development.

"There are always people who need housing," she said.

"I would never want people to be without housing.

"But before too long there wont be any land left for development in Caerleon."

And Langstone ward member Cllr Ray Mogford said he shared concerns about the level of pollution in Caerleon.

He said: "How can we carry on developing housing when we exceeded the level that is sustainable?" he said.

"One day electric cars will come along and there will be a change in the paradigm.

"But at the moment levels of pollution are dangerous."

Other issues raised in objections against the plans included the impact on the road and parking and already-stretched facilities such as schools and doctors surgeries.

But the council’s planning department has said the development is “acceptable in principle” and “not detrimental to highway safety”.

A report said: “The proposal will result in the loss of employment land and place some additional pressure on local services and education.

“However, the loss of employment land in this location is not considered to jeopardise development plan objectives and the significant benefit offered through the satisfaction of Policy H4 (affordable housing) far outweighs both of these negative impacts.”

The site is currently used for storage and washing of vehicles by the nearby Ponthir Road Suzuki car showroom.

The outline application was granted by five votes to four.

To view the full application visit newport.gov.uk/planning and search for 16/0786.