THE ASSEMBLY has given the green light to a controversial asylum appeals centre in Langstone.

Local campaigners and politicians have reacted with anger to the decision which comes after a public enquiry and years of argument.

The Assembly was asked to adjudicate after Newport council objected to the Lord Chancellor's Department's application to create a centre for hearing asylum and pension appeals in November 2002.

A public inquiry was held and the inspector gave his findings to the Assembly committee on Tuesday.

They decided to give the go ahead to the centre with certain conditions. In a statement the committee said: "We agree with the inspector's conclusions on the planning merits of the development and accept his recommendation that the development be allowed to proceed."

The committee gave the permission with certain conditions aimed at addressing concerns about road safety, transport and a lack of amenities. The conditions include providing a minibus service between Newport train station and the centre and constructing pedestrian safety barriers on the A48.

Newport East MP Alan Howarth said the people of Langstone and future court users had been badly let down. He said: "I am shocked and angered. This has been badly handled at every level except Newport council. This site was chosen on the entirely wrong principle of what was most convenient to staff not those who will use the court. The Assembly administration have treated the people of Langstone and Newport council with contempt."

And Brian Bolshaw, spokesman for Langstone Action, one of the key opponents of the scheme, said: "With the support we have had how could this decision be possible?

"Are the people who live here wrong, is the council wrong, are the AMs and MP wrong, just who is representing the people of Wales.

"This location is unacceptable to the council and to the residents, it is neglectful and grossly inconvenient to the appellants and it is alarmingly expensive to the tax payer and yet someone seems to feel it is appropriate despite clear evidence to the contrary."

Langstone councillor David Atwell said: "I am extremely disappointed and will be very interested to see the report of the planning inspectorate to the Welsh Assembly Government.

"I feel really desperately disappointed." Newport councillor and South East Wales Assembly Member William Graham described the decision as "a slap in the face of local residents." Mr Graham said: "I'm very disappointed, the inspector has clearly failed to appreciate the depth of public feeling on this issue. It is a completely inappropriate site and there will be big problems created."

Newport East AM and deputy minister John Griffiths also expressed his disappointment and continuing support for the residents. Mr Griffiths said: "My view remains that this is a totally unsuitable location and I continue to believe that this process was mishandled from start to finish by the Lord Chancellor's Department."