Newport City Council Planning Committee has today unanimously approved an application, submitted by LRM Planning, for 122 new homes and two commercial units at Usk Way, Newport. The application was made on behalf of Jehu Group and Newport City Homes.

A positive pre-app at the start of 2021 meant that the development team was hopeful of a smooth passage to approval, until Welsh Government announced the adoption of Technical Advice Note 15 (‘TAN 15’, which would govern development, flooding and coastal erosion) from 1st December 2021. With the design process having related to the flood zones as existing under the Development Advice Maps at the time, the fact that this site was in Zone B (areas known to have flooded in the past) meant that there was no flooding constraint from a planning perspective. Indeed, technical assessment of the proposals in the form of a Flood Consequences Assessment concluded that the impact of flooding on this site is manageable, a judgement that Natural Resources Wales concurred with.

Therefore the introduction of the new TAN and revised flood mapping could have been catastrophic, however the delayed introduction of that document up until 1st June 2023, coupled with the detailed and thorough submission documents, meant that this scheme was able to be supported by the Authority. The proposals form a key part of the regeneration strategy for Newport, being one of the final redevelopment sites along the Usk riverfront, and providing much-needed affordable housing to the city. The submission of a Unilateral Undertaking meant that the Authority will be able to issue the consent promptly, removing the delay often caused by legal agreements, which in turn shortens the build programme, allowing the delivery of new homes sooner.

In addition to the high-quality design by Pentan Architects, the rest of the development team comprised of PHG Engineering, Apex Transport Planning, JBA Consulting, Treescene, Air Quality Consultants, Catherine Etchell Associates, InAcoustic and Hugh James solicitors.

The development team is also very appreciative of Gail Parkhouse, the case officer at the Local Authority, for the pragmatic, positive and responsive approach to dealing with the application. Gail’s presentation to Committee was also considered and professional.