PLANS to demolish a series of buildings in the centre of Newport to make way for a new public square have been given the go-ahead.

The proposal by Friars Walk developer Queensberry, which will see 68-72 Commercial Street and Emlyn House knocked down and an 18,930sq foot public square set up in their place, was given the green light by Newport City Council’s planning committee yesterday.

But the scheme also included an outline application for a new building of up to five stories in the same area, and some councillors raised concerns the final shape of the development would not bear a resemblance to that presented by the developer.

Marshfield ward member Cllr Richard White said, while he was fully in favour of the square, he was concerned the planned building, which will take up a portion of the square itself, would not improve the area.

“The square is lovely,” he said.

“If it was created and in the future it was destroyed there would be uproar.

“I can’t support this application as it is.

“We should send it back to the developer to split it in two.”

Other members said they were concerned the artist’s impressions included in the application showed the square before the proposed building was built, so did not present a realistic picture of how the area would ultimately look.

The committee’s deputy chairwoman Cllr Val Delahaye said: “The square as it stands in the plans looks beautiful, but it won’t look anything like that if and when it’s built.”

And Allt-yr-yn ward member Cllr David Fouweather said he had a number of concerns about the scheme, saying he was concerned there was an element of “smoke and mirrors”.

“I am not particularly happy about this,” he said.

“I think we should have two applications here.

“I am happy to support the square, but not with the addition of the building.”

But Pill ward member Cllr Omar Ali said he was firmly in favour of the scheme, saying: “My only question is when does it start?”

According to the plans the front edge of the square will be lined with trees while the rear will include a stepped seating area, which could also be used as a performance space, while the entrance to the shopping area will be re-paved.

A report presented to committee members said the council had received only one, anonymous objection against the plans, and the authority’s planning department had recommended it should be granted subject to a range of regulations.

Stow Hill ward member Cllr Miqdad Al-Nuaimi said, while numbers 69-72 Commercial Street are bland-looking office-style buildings, he was concerned about the loss of number 68, which is a more visually attractive Victorian-style structure.

“We have often been accused in the past of losing some really good buildings,” he said.

“This is a lovely building and I hate to see it go.”

Votes for and against the project were tied at four each, so committee chairman Cllr Paul Huntley used his deciding vote to push the application through.

Demolition and building work is expected to take place next year.

To view the plans visit newport.gov.uk/en/Planning-Housing.