CAERWENT COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Residents of Caerwent will be only too aware of the latest developments relating to the Merton Green development. When the original planning consent was granted the Local Authority placed a condition on the developer that no construction was to take place until the upgrade to the sewage infrastructure in Caerwent was completed. However as we are all aware the economic climate has changed and the developer has made an application for this condition to be varied to allow the first fifty homes to be occupied before they pay Welsh Water the money to enable them to carry out the proposed sewage works.  At a meeting attended by the developer, Welsh Water and MCC Planning Officers in December 2008 it was made clear that the view of the residents of Caerwent was that this was unacceptable and Welsh Water agreed that contracts should be drawn up that would ensure that:

A)    the sewage work was carried out and

B)    that it would be carried out before any occupation took place

The view that the sewage infrastructure in Caerwent was not capable of taking one more property never mind fifty meant that no further relaxation should be allowed.

This is the view of this Council, and it has been made quite clear to all parties that any application to MCC’s Planning Committee that did not conform to this view would be challenged.  It follows that no development will be able to commence until this matter is resolved.

Allied to the Merton Green development is the recent order to impose a 30mph speed limit along the stretch of the A48 affected by the development. There is no signage yet for this and we have agreed to press for this to be put in place at the earliest opportunity. This is part of a much larger scheme, currently being agreed with the developer which will incorporate the 30mph zone. This is taking a while to get to the stage where it can be presented to the public. As soon as this can be arranged we will ensure that a public meeting to explain the proposals takes place.

We told residents in the last newsletter that Neighbourhood Watch schemes are being set up. We now understand that the Five Lanes and Llanfair Discoed areas will soon be brought into the scheme. The Police are also setting up Controlled Cold Calling Zones in the St Stephens, Burton Homes and Highfield areas. This should help to make residents in these areas feel safer.

Also in the last issue we asked for information regarding sick and dead buzzards. Please report any sighting to the police. Please also report cases of lamping. Both of the above problems are on the increase so information from the public is vital if there is to be any chance of detecting the culprits.

We have made rash promises in the past about the provision of facilities at the West Gate of the MoD base which, when complete will take base traffic off Dinham Road. We are now assured that this will be completed by the 31^st of March. Let’s hope so.

We have been delighted to assist with the cost of rebuilding the wall at Caerwent Church.  The work has enhanced the appearance of the area as well as improving safety.  Well done to those who raised the rest of the funding.

On the matter of the Church, we are being increasingly asked about the removal of the caravan. Hopefully this is now in hand.

Residents of Crick are reminded that a vacancy needs to be filled on this Council. Please, if you are willing to serve your community, contact us.

Phil Murphy

Chairman

Mrs L McKeon, Clerk to the Council, Caerwent Community Council,

Mayfield, Pill Row, Caldicot, Monmouthshire, NP26 5JD.   Tel:  01291 424802