THE controversial Caerphilly Local Development Plan (LDP) could be scrapped, it has been announced.

The document lists developable land in the borough until 2031 but had proven unpopular, with a consultation attracting 4,654 responses and five petitions against the plans.

Now Caerphilly County Borough Council has announced proposals to scrap the plan and go back to the drawing board will be discussed at a meeting on Tuesday, July 19.

Council leader Cllr Keith Reynolds said: “We are a listening council and we have always said that we would carefully consider all the feedback resulting from the public consultation.

“It is clear that many local people have significant concerns about some of the proposals within the LDP, therefore we need to reflect these views and reconsider a way forward.”

Cllr Reynolds added the council would meet with the Welsh Government and other councils in the area to discuss putting together a more wide-ranging Strategic Development Plan.

“We now want to play a lead role in discussions about the development of a more strategic approach to planning, so that we can appreciate the bigger picture in terms of housing demand, strategic employment sites and supporting transport infrastructure,” he said.

Among proposals included in the plan were to build a new road between Van Road and the A469 Mountain Road, 68 new homes on the former Ness Tar plant, 270 homes on Gwern Y Domen and surrounding greenbelt land and 136 more on an ancient woodland site north of the A472.

Caerphilly AM Hefin David, who has long campaigned for the plan to be scrapped, welcomed the news.

“I have long argued for an alternative south east Wales Strategic Development Plan which would cover a much wider geographical area,” he said.

“This is why, as a councillor, I voted against the Caerphilly LDP in February.

“I also met with residents and discussed the issue with campaign groups.

“Housing demand must be met but in doing so, we must also consider connections across county borough boundaries, not just within them.”

MP for Caerphilly, Wayne David, added he was "pleased CCBC is listening to public opinion and the views of the local AM and MP".

"This shows that in a democracy it is worth putting forward well-thought out points of view and campaigning hard on issues of local importance," he said.

“It is now vital that there be a regional approach to planning that covers the whole of South East Wales and not just Caerphilly."

Next week’s meeting at Penallta House in Tredomen Park, Ystrad Mynach, will begin at 5pm.