NEWPORT'S controversial new asylum appeals centre will not open on Monday - and its future could eventually be decided by a public inquiry.

A Crown official admitted yesterday the Langstone appeals centre cannot open next week as planned while a formal planning objection remains unresolved.

As the Argus reported, Langstone residents are fighting plans to open the centre at Colombus House in Langstone Business Park.

The Crown Service - the executive agency responsible for running the courts in England and Wales, and the Immigration Appellate Authority - initially brushed aside the need for any public consultation. But it later backtracked after work had already begun on the building.

Councillors lodged an 11th hour objection at a planning meeting on November 20 on the grounds that the centre represented a 'change of use' for Colombus House in Langstone Business Park.

Newport East MP Alan Howarth joined Assembly Members, councillors and residents in calling for a public inquiry into the issue.

Now the Crown says the last-ditch effort by Langstone residents may have succeeded in holding up the project. Extension Programme Manager of the Immigration Appellate Authority, Martin John, 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."