NEWENT town councillors have expressed concern about the amount of parking provided as part of a housing development in High Street.

Evesham-based Sudeley Homes (West) Ltd wants to build 45 retirement apartments plus warden accommodation on the former site of Newells Garage.

The company has asked Forest of Dean District Council to approve outstanding matters from its planning permission to allow work to go ahead.

Newent town councillors discussed the scheme at their meeting on Monday and said that one parking space per four apartments was not enough.

The council was told that as the company expects an average age of 73 for occupants, it does not believe there will be a lot of cars.

Coun David Blick said although occupants would be elderly, visiting family will not be.

"We are creating an additional car parking problem here, make no mistake," he said.

Coun Peter Street added: "A development with so few parking spaces would put added strain on an already serious situation."

The council's view will be passed to Forest of Dean planners.