PLANS to build nearly 300 homes on land near Caldicot could move a step closer next week.

Since June 2016, Monmouthshire County Council have been in negotiations to sell the 11-acre Crick Road site in Portskewett to Melin Homes.

Both parties have agreed that of the 285 units that could be built, 71 will be affordable homes.

Surveys have revealed abnormal build costs of £3 million, relating to drainage, utilities, ground conditions and ecological issues.

Members of the economy and development select committee will meet on Thursday to review the proposals and provide recommendations as to how it proceeds.

The council has three options: to do nothing, sell the site through a transactional approach or sell the site to a registered social landlord (RSL), in this case Melin Homes.

The first option has been discarded due to the need for new housing in Monmouthshire, but a council report identities both the second and third proposals as having pros and cons.

The meeting will take place at 10am on November 30, and will be streamed on the council’s Youtube channel. To view the report, visit tinyurl.com/y9gz2h36.