CONCERNED residents have called a public meeting to discuss plans to build over 100 houses on ancient woodland.

The group of residents are concerned about a proposal in Caerphilly council’s deposit replacement local development plan (LDP) to build 136 houses on an ancient woodland site north of the A472, which they say will impact on their communities.

Residents of Pentwynmawr and Newbridge have now formed a group, following a meeting last week, called Preserve our Woodland (POW).

Geoff Cripps, from the group, said: “Through meeting and speaking with our neighbours and friends just over the past week we became aware that dozens of residents were feeling the same way as us.”

He said that the group became aware of the plan after Gwent Wildlife Trust placed posters up near the woodlands. But there is limited time with the LDP consultation set to end on April 22.

Pentwynmawr resident Rhys Waters added: “We understand that we have only days now to encourage our fellow residents to write or email their opposition to the proposals contained in the plan.”

The public meeting will be held in Newbridge Memo auditorium on Monday (April 11) at 7.30pm.

A representative of Gwent Wildlife Trust will be at the meeting and officers from the council have been invited.

A council council spokeswoman said: “The council is currently consulting on its Deposit Replacement Local Development Plan and would welcome views from all interested parties.

“The consultation provides an opportunity for all stakeholders and the wider community to consider the plan in its entirety, and to record their views on proposals outlining how land across the area will be allocated in future”.

Further information on the LDP and its consultation can be found at www.caerphilly.gov.uk.