CONTENTIOUS plans to build up to 300 homes in Blackwood could be approved by the local authority’s planning committee.

More than 150 people have signed petitions against Persimmon Homes’ proposed development on land off Beaumaris Way in Grove Park, near Cefn Fforest.

The developer wants to build a range of two, three and four-bedroom houses on the 9.72-hectare greenfield site, with a new access road built from Heol Pit-Y-Ceiliogod and Beaumaris Way.

A planning report says that 75 houses will be affordable, with public open space and play areas also proposed.

But residents in Cefn Fforest say the new estate could have a negative impact on the community’s road, with some calling for a full feasibility study to assess the potential impact.

Caerphilly council has received two petitions relating to the plans since October 2017 – the first containing 67 signatures and the second containing 90.

Members of the planning committee visited the site on Monday and were met with by around 30 protestors including residents and local councillors.

The council’s transportation engineering manager has raised no objection to the scheme but has requested certain conditions be included in the interest of highways safety.

Such conditions include new traffic signal control equipment at the junction of the A4049 Pengam Road and an unnamed lane known locally as ‘Harry’s Hill’.

Other proposals include a new pedestrian crossing linking Heol Pit-Y-Ceiliogod and Beaumaris Way and a new bus stop on Heol Pit-Y-Ceiliogod.

A residential travel plan would also be adopted, with the council asking Persimmon Homes to enter into a section 106 agreement – worth up to £220,000 – to pay for the scheme and all other improvements.

Aside from the petitions, 39 residents have submitted objections directly to the council on issues including the impact on local services such as schools and GP surgeries.

The council say there is adequate space in local schools to accommodate the new development but “additional pressure on local doctor’s surgeries is a matter for [Aneurin Bevan University] health board to consider”.

The planning committee will be asked to defer the application to allow Persimmon Homes to accept section 106 terms but, upon completion of the agreement, grant permission.

The application will be discussed by members on Wednesday, October 9.