ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners are expressing their concern for the safety of staff and pupils at a new primary school being built in Newport.

The new Glan Usk Primary School, which is due to open next year, will be based at the Glebelands site but the project has received a lot of criticism after chemicals including PCBs were once dumped at the site.

Now as building work proceeds, campaign groups including Glebelands Action Group and local Friends of the Earth groups are seeking clarity over who will be responsible for monitoring the health of those who attend the school.

Local resident and chairman of Glebelands Action Group, John Martin said he had written to Newport council about the health monitoring arrangements for the school when it opens but was still awaiting a reply.

He said: “Ultimately we want to know the name of the person who will be declaring the completed school as safe and fit for purpose.”

Steve Rawlings from Chepstow Friends of the Earth added: “Establishing safe hazardous waste landfill sites has always been a difficult business and there are many examples of when things have gone horribly wrong.

“Building schools on these old landfills is even more risky due to the experimental nature of such developments and the lack of specific guidelines or regulations.”

A spokesman for Newport City Council said all works on the site have been above and beyond the requirements of the council’s robust remediation strategy and approved by the relevant regulators.

He added: “The comments and attitude of the Glebelands Alliance are not reflected in the positive feedback we have had from everyone in the local community and those associated with the school.

“We are always happy to discuss any queries that residents have about the project.”