A MEETING to discuss controversial plans to build 1,200 homes on green space in Torfaen, has been rescheduled for Thursday July 21.

Last week's meeting was adjourned following confusion as to whether some councillors should be allowed to vote after they had declared an interest in proposals to build homes on land west of Cwmbran drive, south Sebastopol.

Seven councillors were unable to take part in the debate because they are voluntary members on local bodies including school boards, which could be affected by the development.

Pontnewydd councillor Brain Mawby called for the meeting to be deferred as he said the rule left councillors unable to represent the interests of their constituents.

He said: "I felt it was extremely inappropriate for any local councillor to be precluded and that this defeated the purpose of democracy.

"I was surprised to be told when the meeting was convened that there was not enough time for the councillors who had declared interests, to be granted permission to take part."

"But those who wished to apply for permission have now done so."

The deferral of the meeting allowed for councillors to apply to the ethics and standards committee for dispensation, enabling them to take part.

Three of the seven councillors applied and have been granted permission to speak and vote in the meeting on July 21.

Pontnewydd councillor Peter Cathcart, was one of those involved. As governor of Pontnewydd Primary School, he had to declare a prejudicial and personal interest ahead of the meeting.

Councillors' Aneurin James for Pontnewydd and Robert Jones for Upper Cwmbran also declared their interests and have since been given the approval of the ethics and standards committee to participate in the meeting.

Cllr Jeff Rees for Fairwater, cllr Fiona Cross for Coed Eva, cllr Maria Graham for Llantarnam and Cllr Mary Barnett for Upper Cwmbran will not be able to take part in the meeting as they have not applied for dispensation in regards to their declared interests.

Carole Jacob, Torfaen co-ordinator for Friends of the Earth welcomed the decision to defer the meeting. She said local councillors had given massive support to locals fighting the campaign over the last 15 years and the decision gave them the opportunity to have their say.

The application by a consortium of developers including Barratt Homes, Asbri Planning and Crest Strategic Projects Ltd is a refreshed version of one which was granted permission in 2005. It is recommended for approval.

The meeting will now take place on July 21 at 4pm at County Hall, Cwmbran.