CHANGES were made to controversial plans for 40 affordable homes and a new scout hut to be built in Brynmawr, ahead of a planning meeting this month.

Melin Homes has made changes to its plans for a housing site on Factory Road in Brynmawr.

The developer had originally hoped to build 40 homes on the Assembly Government-owned site which would be made up of six bungalows and 25 one, two and three-storey homes and nine flats.

But the developer has now decided to reduce the number of social rented units to 16.

Ten of these would be bungalows for elderly people or those with special needs.

A report by Blaenau Gwent Council's head of planning and building control said the tenure at the proposed site had been a contentious issue and that residents did not feel that the original proposal was suitable for the area.

The council had received more than 50 letters and emails to the original plans with concerns about flooding, drainage, increased traffic and the lack of parking and a play area.

The officer confirmed that the site is contaminated but said redevelopment if vital to secure its proper treatment and called the replacement scout hut a "positive benefit" for the community.

The officer recommended that the new plans be granted subject to conditions and to legal agreements.

The proposal will be discussed at a Blaneau Gwent Council's special planning committee meeting on February 18.