NEW classroom facilities could be provided at a Newport school to meet an increase in the number of pupils.

Plans for a demountable classroom at Bassaleg School have been submitted to Newport City Council.

The temporary classroom would provide facilities for an additional 30 secondary-age students.

Eventually the classroom is planned to be replaced by a permanent facility, funded by the council's 21st Century Schools programme.

However the temporary facility would be provided to meet "an immediate demand" at the school, created by an increase in pupil numbers as a consequence of new housing developments in the catchment area.

The plan is the "most economically viable option" in the short term due to a lack of funding available to provide a permanent solution.

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It is intended to relocate the demountable classroom from Maes Ebbw School, which is no longer required after the completion of a new seven classroom extension at the site.

This will provide another use for the facility, which had been earmarked for demolition.

The classroom would be located centrally within an unused area of the school site, which is the preferred location of the headteacher and governing body.

Previous temporary classrooms, demolished eight years ago, were located in the same area.

A design access statement says: "As an existing secondary school that serves the local community the provision of the additional demountable classroom will ensure that children from local developments will be able to attend their local secondary school rather than having to travel to other secondary schools outside of their local communities."

It is expected that the temporary classroom will be relocated during the summer holidays.

Three trees will have to be cut down for the proposal, but these will be replaced by planting the same number in open space nearby.

The proposed location will ensure residents living nearby are not affected by noise or any visual impact.

The plans, lodged by Newport council, are expected to be decided in the coming weeks.