A NEW estate of 152 homes could be built on the site of a former Newport high school.

Bellway Homes has announced plans to build 119 houses and 33 flats on the site of the former St Joseph's High School, Duffryn.

The 3.6 hectare site also includes a small portion of land belonging to the parks and gardens of Tredegar House.

But Gwent police said the carparking at the proposed site could boost crime.

A spokesman said the carpark areas were not overlooked and access paths could be used as "escape routes" by thieves.

And Councillor Bill Pursey, of Marshfield ward, said: "This development needs appropriate infrastructure. Not just roads, but bus services and social facilities like healthcare.

"We've already got problems in Celtic Horizons with youths from parts of Duffryn gathering there.

"I don't know if we have the infrastructure in rural places to cope with big developments like this."

Pupils at St Joseph's started at a new £12.5m school at a site to the south west of Tredegar House Drive on November 1.

Outline Planning permission was given in August 2003 for the former school site to be developed as housing. The demolition of the school is almost complete.

Peter Williams, development control manager at Newport council, said the council had held lengthy discussions with Bellway to ensure the development fits in with neighbouring Tredegar House.

He said: "The scheme has been designed on an informal courtyard layout that reflects the form of the outbuildings located in the grounds of the house."

Planning officers are recommending that in this case the council does not enforce its policy to force developers to build a percentage of affordable housing.

They say their dialogue with Bellway pre-dates the shift in council policy.

The plans, which are recommended for approval, were due to go before Newport council today, but planners want to discuss road specifications and the type of application with Bellway. It is expected to go before the planning committee on February 2.