COUNCILLORS have agreed to defer an application for 23 homes in Pontypool because of concerns over the “dangerous” access on a “race track” bend.

An application for 38 homes on the Talywain site had previously been submitted but was subsequently withdrawn over flooding and highways concerns.

The land off Albert Road on the application site is currently overgrown and two buildings on the site are used as a car repair workshop. The remaining buildings are used for informal storage by private individuals.

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Although the access had already been looked at by the applicant, councillors in the Torfaen planning meeting raised concerns over its closeness to a sharp bend.

Cllr Gwyn Jenkins said the corner was dangerous.

“My main concern is that bend,” he said. “Going through the report it says there have been two accidents there.

“I know I have had an accident there. There are a lot of near misses there that never get reported.

“That corner is a very dangerous corner.”

Cllr Jenkins suggested that the access should be moved 50 yards down the road.

Cllr Stuart Ashley said: “I travel by bus down there and it’s like a race track down there.

“I’m wondering whether there’s traffic calming measures needed.”

Concerns were also raised about the flood plain but councillors were reassured that this had already been looked at when the applicant resubmitted the application.

The council and the applicant will now consider alternative access points before the application is considered again.