CONTROVERSIAL plans for a housing development in Blackwood were deferred over concerns about road safety following a recounted vote.

Caerphilly council’s planning committee had been recommended by officers to approve the planning application to build seven homes on land off Coronation Road submitted by Pobl Group.

But the application caused controversy, with 17 letters of objection, a petition set up against the plans signed by 38 people, as well as concerns voiced by Blackwood Town Council and ward councillors.

At a planning committee meeting on Wednesday, further concerns were expressed over the plans.

Speaking against the plans, Cllr Nigel Dix (Blackwood ward) said he understood the need for social housing in the town but claimed the location was “one of the worst sites you could pick.”

Cllr Dix said residents had raised several concerns, including that the proposed one way system leading to the development would have no footpath.

He said: “It seems to me this decision has been made because there is a need for the council to find social housing but you cannot do that at the cost of the safety of residents.”

Cllr Dix also said residents were concerned about the noise of cars crossing a proposed rumble strip leading to the development.

Blackwood ward councillor Kevin Etheridge echoed the concerns and also urged the committee to reject the plans.

Similarly, ward councillor Andrew Farina-Childs said he wished to object over highways safety issues.

He warned the lack of a footpath was a “safety issue and possibly an accident waiting to happen.”

Steffan Harries, acting as the agent for the applicant Pobl Group, attempted to allay fears.

Mr Harries said the area is already mainly used by pedestrians, setting a principle of pedestrian use.

“This is much-needed housing that will contribute to the local and national housing shortage,” he added.

Members of the planning committee also raised concerns over the plans.

Cllr John Ridgewell said there was a danger of creating “a danger that did not exist before” by approving the development.

Cllr Ridgewell said a better way of accessing the development was needed.

Privacy concerns were also raised as the development would have required several windows to be glazed to go ahead.

But Tim Stephens, the council’s development control manager, argued it was a sustainable site for housing.

Mr Stephens said allowing the development would help protect possible sites in the countryside from being built on by helping to meet the demand for housing.

Cllr Brenda Miles proposed to support the application with a condition that some of the glazed windows were omitted.

The proposal was approved by six-to-five but a recount then rejected the motion.

Councillors then voted in favour of a motion that the application be deferred on safety grounds.

A further report for reasons for refusal will be made before the application is discussed at planning committee again next month.