PLANS for a 67-house development on protected land in Lower New Inn have been submitted to Torfaen Council.

The planning proposal from Redrow Homes Ltd seeks full planning permission for the residential development on land off Newport Road, New Inn.

The site is presently undeveloped and is made up of three loosely structured fields currently grazed by livestock.

The site is located within a Special Landscape Area which means it is a sensitive landscape protected from development. The site includes mature trees, hedgerows and a natural brook, which runs centrally through the site.

The Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) explained the authority should take account of the landscape's designation when taking a decision on a proposed development.

A CCW spokesman said: "CCW has raised the importance of maintaining well connected habitats and dark areas so that bats that can forage across the site, particularly alongside the Afon Lwyd.

"CCW is not objecting to the proposal, subject to suitable conditions being attached to any planning consent to take account of the site's wildlife habitat and looking for opportunities to enhance the valuable habitat."

The developer says if the plans went ahead tree and hedgerow removal would be kept to a minimum.

There are two existing footpaths through the site, which would be diverted.

Redrow Homes Ltd said it wanted to create a high quality sustainable mixed residential area which would provide a logical rounding off of the urban area.

The scheme would include two one-bedroom apartments, six two-bedroom houses, 18 three-bedroom houses and 41 four-bedroom houses.

The site would be accessed by road off Newport Road and a new pedestrian footpath would link the site to the rest of New Inn.