NEWPORT City Homes has implied in a planning application that the land where their garages stand could be used for housing.

In recent weeks, the Argus has reported the anger of residents from across Newport after they have had to hand in the keys of garages they have rented out for decades.

Newport City Homes has said that residents were asked to empty their garages because of potential safety risks caused by structural problems and that no decisions have been made about the future use of the garage sites.

The housing association has said that every site they own is treated on a case-by-case basis and that, before deciding on the use of the land, they carry out consultations.

However, a planning application submitted to Newport City Council last week on behalf of the housing association seems to suggest the garages’ land could be used for housing.

In the application for a proposed development in Eastfield Road, in Caerleon, it says: “The site was one of many garage sites across Newport that was transferred to Newport City Homes from Newport City Council in 2009.

“The majority of the garages on these sites are vacant, in this case the empty garages have been cleared.

“These pockets of land around Newport provide an opportunity for residential development by maximising vacant brownfield land in already built up areas.”

Gary Grant, who hasn’t handed the key for his garage in Blaen Y Pant Crescent yet, said that he feels the housing association have gone about the garages situation "the wrong way".

He said: “My boys are young. If they had said to me they were going to knock them down to build affordable housing for young people, I’d have said go ahead.

“I’m angry and frustrated, I feel let down by Newport City Homes.”

Seventy-five-year-old Michael Brunnock, of Roman Way, Caerleon, who had to hand in the keys of the garage he rented for 50 years in Bellin Close, said that he’s also disappointed with Newport City Homes.

“I just wish they had told us the truth, I don’t know why they can’t,” he said. “Everyone around here assumed that they were going to use the land for housing and that they were trying to hide it behind health and safety grounds.”

Rachel George, head of development and regeneration at Newport City Homes, said: “Every site we own is treated on a case-by-case basis.

“Before deciding on the use of the land, we carry out consultations with communities to understand the needs of the area.”