Councillors approved the three-bedroom house after 16 objections were received, with a hedge-cutting solution proposed for parking
10:56, 05 Dec 2025Updated 11:11, 05 Dec 2025
Objections to a new home in the garden of the house on the right centred around parking and highway safety(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
Neighbours in a quiet Welsh village opposed a homeowner’s plans to put a new home in their back garden, but it’s now been approved by the county council in bizarre fashion.
The three-bedroom detached dwelling at Berthon Road, Little Mill, Monmouthshire, complete with off-street parking, received approval from councillors this week despite 16 objections including one from the local community council.
Local residents argued the new property, to be constructed in the rear garden of an existing property, would exacerbate parking issues on neighbouring Brynhyfryd Close where the new home’s vehicle access will be located. Love dreamy Welsh homes? Sign up to our newsletter here
Llanbadoc Community Council also supported parking concerns and other objections, including that the three-bedroom dwelling, replacing a previously proposed two-bedroom property it had indicated it could back, would constitute an “overdevelopment of a small site”.
County councillor for Usk and Llanbadoc, Tony Kear, informed Monmouthshire County Council’s planning committee that several residents already utilise Little Mill village hall’s car park, situated opposite the site, stating: “I do feel this is an overdevelopment and I’m not prepared to support it and my objection is maintained.”
A resident’s objection, presented to the committee by planning officer Andrew Jones, noted that vehicles, including the council’s recycling lorries, are forced to mount the kerb when entering Brynhyfryd Close, adding: “There have been several near misses including with my children.”
In a statement, planning agent Glyn Buckle, representing applicant Mark Craxford, explained that trimming an existing hedge on a neighbouring property would enable two visitor parking spaces to be retained.
Planning officer Mr Jones commented: “Safety seems to be a key them and a matter officers do acknowledge.”
However, he noted that amendments had been made to the proposals, meaning the council’s highways officers no longer objected, and the scheme now satisfied parking standards with both properties having off-street parking provision.
This represents an enhancement, as Robyrna currently lacks off-street parking, and committee chairman, Cllr Phil Murphy, suggested that establishing the new access from Brynhyryd Close would probably address the issue of vehicles parking close to the junction, as this would no longer be possible.
The committee granted approval for the application with 10 votes in favour.
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