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Seven families in a small village in rural Wales are fighting to prevent their £200,000 homes from being demolished after council officials ruled that their driveways are too steep. 

Local authorities declared that driveways on the row of six semis and one detached home in Blaina, near Abertillery, Gwent are too steep, and that cars parked on those driveway could roll down onto the road and into the lake opposite.

The application to build the homes was originally refused by Blaenau Gwent Council in 2014, but was later overturned by Welsh Government planning inspectors and the homes were built in 2018. 

However, following an anonymous complaint, council highways officials ruled that the homes did not match the planning permission and determined the driveways were too steep. They also said that the driveways are surrounded by high walls which block the view of the road.  

Now the mortified residents are facing the nightmare scenario of seeing their homes potentially razed, and are hoping to reach a 'sensible solution'. 

At a meeting of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council's planning committee tomorrow, councillors will have another look at the development on the former site of the village school. If permission is refused, the houses could end up being demolished, local media reported. 

Homeowner Andrew Pugh insisted that the residents 'weren't to know' about the planning issues and are 'in a state of shock' about the dispute.   

'As you can imagine, the cost to ourselves if this gets turned down is going to be catastrophic, as we've all paid about £200,000 each for these houses,' he said.  

Seven families in a small village in rural Wales are fighting to prevent their new £200,000 homes from being demolished after council officials ruled that their driveways are too steep

Local authorities declared that cars parked in driveways on the row of six semis and one detached home in Blaina, near Abertillery, Gwent could roll down onto the road and into the lake opposite

The application to build the homes was originally refused by Blaenau Gwent Council in 2014, but was later overturned by Welsh Government planning inspectors and the homes were built in 2018

This map shows the site of the row of six homes in Blaina, near Abertillery, Gwent

However, following an anonymous complaint, council highways officials ruled that the homes did not match the planning permission and determined the driveways were too steep 

'We weren't to know about these issues. We are in a state of shock at how this was allowed to happen. As far as we were aware everything was above board and legally transparent.'

The homes were built on the site of the former village school in Blaina.

The application to build the homes was originally refused by Blaenau Gwent Council in 2014, but was later overturned by Welsh Government planning inspectors and the homes were built in 2018. 

However, following an anonymous complaint, council highways officials ruled the homes did not match the planning permission and ruled the driveways were too steep.

Developer D3 Property Developments lodged an amended planning application to be allowed to retain the homes.

Peter Barnes, agent for D3 Property Developments, told councillors that the developer had agreed to lower the driveway walls to improve the road visibility.

Council officials also said that the driveways are surrounded by high walls which block the view of the road

Now the residents are facing the nightmare scenario of seeing their homes razed, and are hoping to reach a 'sensible solution' 

Homeowner Andrew Pugh, who has represented residents in the dispute with Blaenau Gwent Council, said they 'weren't to know' about the planning issues and are 'in a state of shock'

The homes in Rhes yr Ysgol - Welsh for School Row - were built on the site of the former village school in Blaina

'The alternative is to descend into chaos,' said Mr Barnes.

Councillor John Hill said: 'We're in a situation where we need to solve this and the answer can't be demolishing the houses, we have to figure out a way of looking after those people.'

But planning officers recommended refusal of planning permission because the steep driveways meant there was a risk that cars would roll into the road - and that visibility from the driveways is also hampered.

Blaenau Gwent council development team manager Eirlys Hallett said road safety issues were the major issue stopping planning permission for the houses.

Mrs Hallett said: 'Those issues are gradient of driveways and visibility.'

Her report explained that the steep driveways meant there was a risk that cars would roll back into the road.

Planning officer Jane Engel said: 'Consultation has been carried out with the owners/occupiers of all seven properties.'

She added that highways officers believe the issues had not been solved and the development 'remains a potential hazard to the public highway. '

The planning chiefs are due to consider the row tomorrow in the hope of coming to a decision on whether the homes can be made safe or demolished.