Neighbours object to rugby towers

Flats will help fund an expansion of the Rodney Parade rugby ground

Residents say they fear the redevelopment of Newport's rugby ground will be like "dropping an area of New York" into their neighbourhood.

They are concerned flats being built next to Rodney Parade will increase traffic and restrict light. They will raise the issues at a meeting later.

Plans for the �40m scheme have already been altered.

But Wendy Straker-Jones, who lives next to the site, said: "The changes don't address the concerns that people have."

Developers, architects and local politicians are expected to join residents at the meeting, being held at the rugby club house.

The development is part of plans to transform Rodney Parade into a state-of-the-art 15,000-capacity stadium for the Newport Gwent Dragons and Newport Rugby Club.

It's like dropping an area of New York into an area that is really Victorian two-storey terraces. Wendy Straker-Jones

The proposed blocks of private and student flats will help to fund the stadium expansion.

New training facilities and a clubhouse will also form part of the scheme. Restaurant and conference facilities, as well as a sports injuries clinic, will be available for local community use.

But Ms Straker-Jones said that while residents knew the development was planned, they were shocked by the scale and height of the proposed towers.

"It's like dropping an area of New York into an area that is really Victorian two-storey terraces," she said.

Marian Dudley, who has lived in the area for 40 years, has also written to planners to object to the scale of the project.

"The terraced cottages are going to be swamped and all our light is mainly from the front," she said.

"My neighbour is only going to get two hours of light a day. There are only a small number of us, but we are very irate."

'Whole community'

A consultation document published by the rugby clubs in February said: "We believe that incorporating facilities such as student accommodation that benefit the whole community as well as the clubs is the right way forward.

"The central goal of this strategy is to ensure there are 'no surprises' for anyone at any stage of the process," it added.

Newport City Council confirmed they had received a number of letters of objection to the project from residents and councillors.

It is expected to be considered by the planning committee in September.

Developers hope to start work before the end of this year with the first phase of the development due to be completed in 2010.

Newport Gwent Dragons have been contacted for a comment on the redevelopment.

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