WELSH Secretary Paul Murphy has written to Torfaen council chiefs about a controversial housing plan on a school's playing field.

Residents at Llan-tarnam have united against Torfaen council's plans to build housing on land which includes an acre of Llantarnam Comprehensive's playing field.

The plan also involves the redevelopment of a building named after John Fielding, a Torfaen man awarded the VC after the Battle of Rorke's Drift.

The plan, to redevelop the empty John Fielding House and Montressor Two Nursery will be considered by the council's planning committee next Tuesday.

Torfaen MP Mr Murphy has written to Torfaen's director of environment Andy Fretter echoing residents' objections.

He said: "I am particularly concerned not simply as MP for Torfaen but also as a resident in Llantarnam that any development should enhance the village, rather than being another estate alongside the main road.

"If houses are to be built on the John Fielding site in a way that does not enhance the village nature of Llantarnam, then it will be too late to do anything about it."

The John Fielding Development Group have proposed that the land be used for a church car park, a doctor's surgery, a memorial to John Fielding VC or to Wales' first Catholic martyr, St David Lewis, arrested at Llantarnam in 1698.

Group chairman Alan Smith said: "An opportunity exists to revitalise the heart of Llantarnam and regain a village spirit.

"With the great increase in the population of Llantarnam an improvement in the infrastructure is desperately needed.

"These are all legitimate alternative uses which are being put forward and pursued by the local community."

The group have also raised concerns about potential traffic problems if the houses are built.

They have carried out a survey of 69 households on Llantarnam Road, Court Farm Close and Brangwyn Avenue in July and August.

They claim that that 82 per cent of those surveyed were against the building of residential housing, and that 87 per cent supported the group's proposals.

They also claim that 92 per cent of people surveyed wanted a memorial to John Fielding. A spokeswoman for Torfaen council said: "All the residents' views will be taken into full consideration when the council discuss the planning application next week."

PICTURED: Alan Smith (right) with other residents. They want the site to include a memorial to John Fielding.