Hidden village earns stay of execution (From Western Telegraph)

Hidden village earns stay of execution

An order for the destruction of Brithdir Mawr, Newport, was postponed by National Park planners last week.

The move came at the authority's September planning meeting when an enforcement order was due to be imposed after four structures were recently discovered by an officer visiting the site. However, development control officer Cathy Milner announced a retrospective planning application had been received the previous day and therefore the buildings were granted a stay of execution.

A National Park spokesman said: "In light of this planning application a recommendation that appropriate legal action be taken to secure the permanent removal of the unauthorised structures was withdrawn."

Emma Orbach, who lives at Brithdir Mawr, was realistic about the future of the buildings. "It has appeared for years that National Park have set their hearts against Brithdir Mawr," she said.

"I think it is good to live in hope that there are people who can make the right decisions, and 'anything can change' is my attitude, so I am optimistic. However, I suspect they are liable to say this application should be refused."

The application will now be discussed at the next meeting in October.