A NEW school to replace Newport's crumbling Durham Road Schools is due to take a step closer to reality.

Tomorrow the council will look at plans for a school and 153 homes on the former landfill site at Glebelands.

Planning officers have recommended approval but it is up to councillors to decide. Protesters say the site is contaminated and oppose the move.

Pupils, teachers and parents were first told that the Durham Road junior and infants schools were "priority rebuilds" more than 15 years ago.

Since then conditions endured by the 650 pupils have slid to a level school inspectors described as "Victorian" and "unhealthy".

Funding for a new school has been fraught with problems, even though outline planning permission - which backs the principle of the development - was given in October, 2000.

But a thumbs-up tomorrow still does not mean the plans will go ahead. Councillors will debate what are called 'reserved matters' covering whether the appearance, siting and access routes of the site are acceptable. At a future date other issues, including the possible contamination of the site, will be discussed.

A report last year to the council said low-level contamination could be capped over with clay.

The Environment Agency has said it finds the results of soil testing and the risk assessment of the drainage system as "acceptable".

Residents sent 30 letters of objection to the council and a petition of 18 opposed the scheme. Several said the area is unable to cope with extra traffic.

John Martin, chairman of the Glebelands Action Group, said: "We are not against a new school but this is in the wrong place."

Regeneration company Newport Unlimited said the plans support its vision for a revitalised riverfront.

Gwent Police are concerned the residential areas and parking at the school will attract crime.