TWO Monmouthshire councillors raised concerns about access for the emergency services should Sudbrook have a new housing development.

Outline planning permission was granted for 46 homes at the Old Shipyard, at the end of Sudbrook Road, which is the first stage of getting the scheme underway.

Local member and Monmouthshire council leader Cllr Peter Fox spoke out against St Maurs Estate Ltd's plans at Tuesday's meeting, suggesting there would be "significant issues" managing the construction work on roads in the "narrowest part of the village."

"That village is steeped in history, it started to be built in 1873, the tunnel opened in 1886 and it's a cultural jewel in the crown to us so we have to look after it," he added.

Cllr Pauline Watts said there were lots of factors against the plans.

"Should there be a fire or a big accident you wouldn't get an ambulance to it," she said.

The council's head of planning, George Ashworth, told members of the committee the site is "highly unusual" because it has not been developed since being identified for housing in 1993.

Heidi Davies, the applicant's agent, said the number of homes proposed was reduced from 49 to 46.

She told the meeting there is ample room for two vehicles to pass each other safely on Sudbrook Road.

A planning report said there would be 239 daily trips generated by the new estate but there were no highway grounds to sustain an objection.

This was against the views of many residents, who said the access road is unsuitable for additional traffic as it is narrow, congested and constrained by on-street parking.

Outline planning permission was granted by seven votes to six.