PLANS to build houses on part of a former Newport golf course could be blocked by fears of flooding.

Developers want to donate 31 hectares of the former Tredegar Park golf course to the council as recreation ground.

In return they want to build 150 executive homes on seven hectares of the site.

The plans are recommended for refusal at tomorrow's planning meeting because of "strong and consistent" ob-jections from the Environment Agency.

It said the new homes should not go on the former golf course, which is a floodplain for the River Ebbw.

But developers Newbridge Construction said it planned to protect the site against floods They have also said they will improve flood defences for Duffryn and the Southern Distributor Road.

Ideas for the donated recreation land, a wedge bordered by the M4 and Forge Road, include games pitches, a cycle path and a wildlife reserve protecting resident bats, otters and wild fowl.

Former Graig ward councillor Peter McKim said: "I'm disappointed the Environ-ment Agency has taken this position.

"It's a real loss to the city. A lot of money was going to be spent protecting the Duffryn area, and we really needed those sports facilities in Graig.

""Many of the residents protesting against this now live on what were similar green sites."

Two petitions signed by 57 and 75 residents have been sent to the council, along with 12 letters of objection.

Residents fear an increase in traffic, overcrowded schools, flooding, and the loss of parkland. Graig community council also objects.

The council commissioned its own flooding report to try to clarify Environment Agency issues and concluded clearer flood maps needed to be produced.

The council has to consider a 'one in a 1,000' years' flood.

Councillors on the planning committee could still vote to back the plans, despite the Environment Agency objections.

About 100 flats are currently being built on the remaining three acres of the private golf club land.