Seven families in a small village in rural Wales are fighting to prevent their £200,000 homes from being demolished after council officials ruled that their driveways are too steep. 

Local authorities declared that cars parked in driveways on the row of six semis and one detached home in Blaina, near Abertillery, Gwent could roll down onto the road and into the lake opposite.

Blaenau Gwent Council initially refused to build the homes in 2014. However, the application was overturned later by Welsh Government planning inspectors. The homes were constructed in 2018. 

After receiving an anonymous complaint, highways officials from the council ruled that the homes were not permitted to be built and determined that the driveways were too steep. They also stated that the driveways were surrounded by high walls that block the view of the road. 

Residents now face the terrible prospect of having their homes destroyed and are looking for a’sensible solution.

Andrew Pugh, the homeowner, represented residents in the Blaenau Gwent Council case. He said that they didn’t know about the planning issues and were ‘in shock.   

‘As you can imagine, the cost to ourselves if this gets turned down is going to be catastrophic, as we’ve all paid about £200,000 each for these houses,’ he said.  

Seven families in a small village in rural Wales are fighting to prevent their new £200,000 homes from being demolished after council officials ruled that their driveways are too steep

Seven families in a small village in rural Wales are fighting to prevent their new £200,000 homes from being demolished after council officials ruled that their driveways are too steep

Local authorities declared that cars parked in driveways on the row of six semis and one detached home in Blaina, near Abertillery, Gwent could roll down onto the road and into the lake opposite

Local authorities declared that cars parking in driveways of the six semis and one detached house in Blaina (near Abertillery, Gwent) could roll onto the road to the opposite side of the lake.

The application to build the homes was originally refused by Blaenau Gwent Council in 2014, but was later overturned by Welsh Government planning inspectors and the homes were built in 2018

Blaenau-Gwent Council originally denied the application to build the homes in 2014, but it was later overturned in 2018 by Welsh Government planning inspections. The homes were then built in 2018.

However, following an anonymous complaint, council highways officials ruled that the homes did not match the planning permission and determined the driveways were too steep

After receiving an anonymous complaint, highways officials from the council ruled that the homes were not permitted to be built and determined that the driveways were too steep. 

‘We didn’t know these issues. We are shocked at how this happened. We were unaware that everything was legal and in compliance with law.

The homes were built on the former Blaina village school site.

Blaenau Gwent Council initially refused to build the homes in 2014. However, the application was overturned later by Welsh Government planning inspectors. The homes were constructed in 2018. 

After receiving an anonymous complaint, officials from the council highways department ruled that the homes were not permitted to be built and that the driveways were too steep.

Developer D3 Property Developments submitted an amended planning request to retain the homes.

Peter Barnes, agent for D3 Property Developments, stated to councillors that the developer had agreed lowering the driveway walls in order to improve road visibility.

Council officials also said that the driveways are surrounded by high walls which block the view of the road

Council officials also said that the driveways are surrounded by high walls which block the view of the road

Now the residents are facing the nightmare scenario of seeing their homes razed, and are hoping to reach a 'sensible solution'

Residents are now facing the horrible scenario of having their homes destroyed. They are hoping for a’sensible resolution’ 

Homeowner Andrew Pugh, who has represented residents in the dispute with Blaenau Gwent Council, said they 'weren't to know' about the planning issues and are 'in a state of shock'

Andrew Pugh, the homeowner who represented Blaenau Gwent Council residents in the dispute, stated that they were unaware of the planning issues and are now ‘in a state if shock’

The homes in Rhes yr Ysgol - Welsh for School Row - were built on the site of the former village school in Blaina

The former Blaina village school was the site where the homes in Rhes yr Ysgol – Welsh for School Row – were built.

Mr. Barnes stated that the alternative was to fall into chaos.

John Hill, Councillor said that the situation is so dire that it was impossible to simply demolish the houses. We have to find a way to look after these people.

Planning officers recommended against granting planning permission due to the steep driveways – which could lead to cars rolling into the road. Also, visibility from driveways is limited.

Blaenau-Gwent council development manager Eirlys Halett stated that road safety issues were the main obstacle to granting planning permission for the houses.

Mrs Hallett stated that these issues are the gradient of driveways as well as visibility.

Her report stated that steep driveways could cause cars to roll back into the road.

Jane Engel, planning officer, stated that consultations were conducted with all seven property owners/occupiers.

She said that highway officers believed the issues were not resolved and that the development’remains potentially hazardous to the public highway.

Tomorrow, the planning chiefs will consider the row and make a decision on whether to make the homes safe or demolished.