A NEWPORT Assembly Member is urging the Home Office not to appeal against a council's objection to an asylum hearings centre in Langstone.

Newport East AM John Griffiths wrote to Baroness Scotland at the Lord Chancellor's Office yesterday to urge her not to appeal.

The centre, due to begin hearings in Colombus House in Langstone Business Park, Newport, did not open yesterday as originally planned, after an objection was lodged by Newport council's planning committee over the change of use of the former Alcatel office.

As exclusively revealed by the Argus on Friday, Crown officials admitted that plans to press ahead with the centre have now been stalled until that planning objection can be resolved.

Martin John, extension programme manager of the Immigration Appellate Authority, said: "The reality is that the appeals centre could not open or function in that capacity until we have formally resolved the planning objection lodged by the council. That is my understanding."

Mr John added: "It will be for the ministers responsible to look at an appeal and if there is one then the likelihood is that it will come in the form of a public inquiry."

But Mr Griffiths is warning the government not to waste time looking into the issue. He feels the planning committee is correct in its assertion that the centre would register as a significant change of use for the site.

Mr Griffiths said: "I have made it clear that all those involved at the Crown would better spend their time identifying a new site in the city centre."