Agenda item

The minutes of the meeting held on 7^th July 2025 were confirmed as an accurate record.

In doing so, the following points were noted:

During the discussion on matters arising, concern was raised regarding the collapsed footpath on the Wyesham side of the Wye Valley Walk and highlighted the dangerous roadside section between Redbrook and Monmouth. A question was asked if there had been any progress from Monmouthshire County Council in providing a proper footpath for that section of the Wye Valley Walk. The response confirmed that no progress had been made and that the issue remains unresolved. While communication lines with Monmouthshire County Council are open, there are currently no plans in place. It was agreed that this matter should be brought to the Council’s attention again, given the significant safety risk to walkers.  It was noted that the section is hazardous because fast-moving vehicles encounter walkers with no safe space to walk, creating a serious accident risk.

With regard to the Wye Valley overlook infrastructure, it was confirmed that this work has not progressed and remains on the National Landscapes Team’s schedule. Although a small budget is available and can be carried forward, the delay is due to a lack of officer time rather than funding. The audit will likely not happen in the current financial year but may be scheduled for the next. In the meantime, monitoring is taking place to ensure safety, particularly at high-risk sites such as the Wye Valley Walk through Piercefield, where a recent landslip near the alcove viewpoint has been addressed. The team also acknowledged that some interpretation boards are now illegible after 15 years and will need replacing or redesigning as part of a larger maintenance project.

Dixton Housing proposed site response

The Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) explored alternative sites to the Dixon Road development in Monmouth. It was noted that the Council’s landscape sensitivity and capacity study rated Dixon Road as having medium to high sensitivity to development. While other potential sites were assessed, an alternative candidate site on Wonastow Road was identified. This site is adjacent to existing developments and it was considered that it could accommodate 175 houses plus two hectares of employment land and lies on a national cycle route. It is largely screened from the Wye Valley by natural landforms and is relatively flat, making visual mitigation easier. Bat surveys showed significant differences. Dixon Road recorded 206 greater horseshoe bat passes in two weeks, compared to just six at Wonastow Road, indicating a far less ecological impact on the SSSI.

However, it was noted that the Wonastow Road site poses flooding concerns, as it is accessed via Watery Lane or Wonastow Road which are both prone to flooding. This has worsened with recent housing developments. This highlights that all sites have trade-offs. The JAC agreed that these issues will be examined during the public inquiry, where the Inspector will weigh environmental, biodiversity, and practical considerations before making a decision.

Joint Advisory Committee Review

The Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) is currently reviewing several vacant seats and working to recruit new members. Efforts have been made to approach various organizations for nominees, but the response so far has been disappointing. Two organizations have been contacted: one attempted to find new members but was unsuccessful, and the other has yet to respond. Initially, these were considered the easier options, with plans to expand outreach to a broader range of organizations afterward. However, the process has proven more challenging than expected.

Despite these challenges, efforts will continue to be made to strengthen and expand the membership of the Joint Advisory Committee. Progress is unlikely before the next scheduled meeting in March 2026. Members were encouraged to suggest potential candidates or contacts who might be suitable for the vacant roles.