A new housing development in Johnston could push the village towards town status if approved, says a local councillor.

Plans have been submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council for 153 new homes on land to the east of Milford Road.

Johnston county and community councillor Ken Rowlands said that the developers, Beatgrove Ltd, attended a recent community council meeting to discuss the plans and were very receptive to the views put forward by members.

“We must remember that there is a dire need for housing in Pembrokeshire and we have got quite a few housing developments going up in Johnston.

“We were undoubtedly the biggest village and I think we will now be looking at a township,” added Councillor Rowlands.

Cllr Rowlands said he has received no adverse comments regarding the plan, which he described as sympathetically designed, and concerns about density and drainage will be examined by the developers.

If approved, the new homes will be added to more than 100 new houses already under construction in Johnston.

The plans include a mix of two, three and four bedroom detached, semi-detached and terraced houses and bungalows, as well as flats and 46 affordable units.

The new development would be within walking distance of local facilities including the school, post office, play area and doctor’s surgery.

There is also easy access to the main road, bus services and railway station.

A significant amount of public amenity space is including in the plans, as well as recycling facilities.