A UNIVERSITY is preparing to appeal a decision to reject plans for housing at the former college campus in Caerleon, it has been revealed.

Newport council rejected plans to build more than 300 homes at the disused University of South Wales (USW) site in October over air pollution and traffic concerns.

Afterwards, USW expressed disappointment, saying the decision had given “little or no weight” to an agreement to develop a £60 million ‘Knowledge Quarter’ at its city centre campus.

An application was submitted last week for permission to use the site temporarily for a second series of the Netflix comedy-drama, Sex Education.

Planning documents say that "an appeal will shortly be submitted" against the refusal of the housing plans.

"An appeal will shortly be submitted against this refusal," a planning statement says.

"This application for temporary consent is being progressed in the context that it will in no way affect or prejudice the planning appeal."

A spokesman for the university confirmed its intention to appeal the decision.

"We intend appealing against the Newport City Council decision relating to the development of Caerleon Campus,” the spokesman said.

Plans say filming for the second season of Sex Education could take place at the disused campus from the end of April to September this year.

The campus site, which has a main building with grade-II listed status, also formed a backdrop for the filming of the first series.

However a formal application for a change of use at the site was not made, on the basis it was temporary.

Planning permission would allow consent to use the campus as a film location for two years, potentially allowing the site to be used in a season three as well if it is commissioned.

The application has been made by the production company, Starco 2 TV, and supported by USW, at the request of Newport council following complaints.

A statement says: "Neither the production company nor USW were aware of any complaints arising from the usage of the site for series one, but it has since been established that some complaints from local residents were received by Newport City Council environmental health.

"In the context of these complaints, as well as the ongoing use of the site to film a further series during 2019, Newport City Council has requested that an application for temporary consent be submitted to regularise the position."