Plans to transform former shipyard

Plans to transform a former shipyard into a new neighbourhood with 345 homes, offices and a riverside park have been lodged with Monmouthshire council.

A reserved matters application has been submitted for the redevelopment of the former Mabey Bridge site in Chepstow, drawing a number of objections just days after its submission.

Outline planning permission for the development, with up to 450 homes was approved by Monmouthshire County Council last year, despite concerns about a ‘lack of affordable housing’ in the plans.

The development would include a range of homes including apartments, houses and some sheltered accommodation for the elderly.

New offices and commercial leisure facilities would also be built on the 41-acre site under the plans submitted by Barratt Homes.

A total of 237 of the homes would be three-bedroom, 82 four-bedroom and 26 would be two-bedroom homes.

Barratt Homes says this reflects the high demand for family housing in Chepstow.

The development would also come with 901 parking spaces, including 18 for visitors.

A riverside park including a community orchard and play areas would also be built on the site which lies on the banks of the River Wye.

The proposed redesign of Bombardon Square is based on the floating Bombardon structures which were used to protect Mulberry Harbours during the invasion of Normandy in 1944.

The Mabey Bridge shipyard was one of the main centres around the UK where these were manufactured.

But a multi-use games area which was approved in the masterplan is not included in the new application due to a “third party land constraint.”

A total of 1.5 acres of land is provided for affordable housing and 1.2 acres for employment land.

The application also aims to maintain that the grade-II listed Brunel House remains a dominant feature of the area.

The former mill building will be retained in the plans and converted for either commercial, residential or community use.

Concerns have been expressed since the plans were outlined, with several objections lodged.

Objectors have voiced concerns over the impact of the proposals on traffic issues and pollution in Chepstow, while also questioning if there is sufficient infrastructure in place for the development.

“The building and introduction of 345 homes/families is a ridiculous pressure to put on current infrastructure and public services,” one objector writes.

Another says the development would “literally choke what is already a congested area.”

Others have said they support the application due to the need for housing but that work to improve roads and infrastructure in the town is needed first.