Local development plans: Monmouthshire

The overall plan

• The plan's overall vision is that by 2021 Monmouthshire will have more inclusive, prosperous and vibrant communities, with better access to local services and jobs, and its distinctive countryside and built heritage protected. Page 53
• The plan's main approach is to focus most growth on the three main towns of Abergavenny, Chepstow and Monmouth, where environmental and infrastructure limits allow. Some development will also go to Severnside, and an appropriate amount to rural areas. Page 56
• The plan allocates sites next to Main Villages, which have reasonable access to services or public transport, for a maximum of 15 homes, mainly to provide affordable housing for local people. Policy S1, page 100

Homes

• The plan aims to provide around 960 affordable homes between 2011 and 2021. Affordable homes are those sold or rented below market prices. Policy S4, page 67
• The plan requires sites in Main Villages with room for 3 or more homes to make at least 60% of those homes affordable. Policy S4, page 67

Jobs and the economy

• The plan sets aside 37 hectares of land at Magor for employment development of regional or sub-regional importance, meaning large business sites that can serve a wider area beyond Monmouthshire. Policy S9, page 79
• The plan protects existing industrial and business sites from being lost to other uses. Proposals that would result in such a loss are only allowed if certain strict criteria are met. Policy E1, page 121
• The plan supports tourism that is sustainable. Proposals that provide or improve sustainable forms of tourism will be allowed, subject to detailed planning checks. Policy S11, page 83
• The plan allows small, purpose-built industrial and business buildings within or next to the development boundaries of Raglan, Penperlleni and the main villages, to help rural jobs. Policy RE1, page 124

Town centres and shops

• The plan says all new or enhanced shops and other commercial developments should be focused on the county's main towns and on local and neighbourhood centres. Policy S6, page 71
• The plan says the preferred place for new shops and commercial leisure and entertainment uses is the Central Shopping Areas, the defined central shopping zones of the towns. Policy RET4, page 120
• The plan protects the main shopping streets, called Primary Shopping Frontages. It prevents proposals that would create a continuous run of 2 or more non-shop uses, such as banks or cafés, so the street keeps its shopping character. Policy RET1, page 116
• The plan allows new shops in neighbourhood centres, which are small local shopping areas, only if they do not undermine the vitality, attractiveness or viability of the town and local centres. Policy RET3, page 119

Countryside, nature and heritage

• The plan protects Monmouthshire's natural heritage, including its open spaces, distinctive landscapes, protected sites, habitats and species, through Strategic Policy S13. Policy S13, page 87
• The plan says development which would be detrimental to landscape character will not be permitted. Page 88
• The plan says there is a presumption against new built development in the open countryside, apart from limited exceptions such as agriculture, forestry, rural enterprise or tourism, and these must meet strict landscape and environmental criteria. Policy LC1, page 142

The Welsh language

• The plan does not include a specific policy on the Welsh language. The council considers one is not necessary, because Monmouthshire has a relatively low share of Welsh speakers compared with Wales as a whole. Page 15
• National planning policy advice on the Welsh language in development will be taken into account when planning applications are decided, where appropriate. The plan does not set out a separate requirement for developers to show how they will meet it. Page 15

Where it stands

Being examined Reached in November 2025.

An independent inspector is examining the plan and may hold public hearings. The inspector can require changes.

What happens next

Adopting the new plan

The stages of a new plan

1. 1. Reviewing the current plan
2. 2. Setting a timetable
3. 3. Sites put forward
4. 4. Preferred strategy
5. 5. Draft plan published
6. 6. Sent for examination
7. 7. Being examined
8. 8. Adopted