THE proposed South Gwent Children's Centre - subject of the Argus-backed Sparkle Appeal - was yesterday dubbed a futuristic "carbuncle" by members of Newport city council's planning committee.

But the committee's postponement yesterday of a decision on outstanding planning issues will not harm the project, say backers.

More than 1,200 disabled youngsters from Newport, Torfaen and south Monmouthshire will benefit from the much-needed centre, which will cost £6 million to build.

Since the Argus launched a bid to raise £250,000 towards the cost in 2004, readers have begun to donate cash or organise fundraising events.

Councillor Noel Trigg was the only planning committee member to speak up for the project. He said there had been a hard fight for the right to build the centre, there is a big fundraising effort ahead, and objections about roof and landscaping should not hold up the process.

Others, however, remain adamant the site is unsuitable for the centre, which was repeatedly and incorrectly described by some as a hospital.

Arguments about the site being a green wedge and a special landscape area were lost at a 2002 planning appeal, but Rogerstone councillor Erryl Heath maintained that they remain valid issues.

"We are fully supportive of a children's foundation hospital and know there is a desperate need, but we maintain it is in the wrong place," she said, adding harsh words about the centre's design. "To me it is futuristic. Why does everything have to be so modern these days? Why can't people design things that aren't so glaring?"

Her authority has passed modernistic plans for the new theatre and arts centre taking shape on the banks of the River Usk - and built the striking Wave sculpture.

But Councillor Peter McKim said the children's centre looks "too much like a supermarket", while Councillor Les Knight labelled it "a carbuncle", called for the proposed aluminium roof to be changed and for strong landscaping, including belts of trees, to hide the building.

He added: "Otherwise, we will be left for evermore with this ugliness. This aluminium thing will be sparkling each day you have strong sunlight. It's not going to be very pleasant."

Approval for the centre to be built on gifted land behind High Cross Road and Glasllwch Crescent was granted in 2002, when an Assembly planning inspector overturned a refusal of outline planning permission by Newport council.