TWO Newport Assembly Members and a local MP are supporting calls for a public inquiry into the planned asylum hearings centre in Langstone.

Newport councillors backed worried residents at a meeting on Tuesday when they formally objected to the location of the centre at Langstone Business Park.

However, because the centre is a Crown matter, it was not within their power to grant or refuse planning permission.

A formal objection was raised at the meeting in a last-ditch effort to force an inquiry. Asylum hearings are scheduled to begin on the site on December 2.

Councillors agreed that the court service initially brushed aside the need for public consultation, then backtracked when work had already begun on the building.

An inappropriate change of use for the building is the official reason for the objection. Now two local Assembly Members are backing the council's stance.

Newport East AM John Griffiths said: "I made it clear at a public meeting held at the Hilton Hotel last week that I disagree with how the business was handled. There was a complete lack of information available which only led to anxiety and speculation."

Labour's Mr Griffiths who is also the Assembly's deputy minister for economic development, added: "There is a complete lack of transport links and general facilities on the site, making it entirely inappropriate for this development and I wrote to the planning committee to say so.

"I believe there should be a public inquiry and hope that any inquiry would uphold the decision of the committee".

Conservative regional AM for South Wales East William Graham echoed the calls. He said: "I'm delighted to hear the council has stood by its residents. The building of the asylum centre is an appalling abuse of privilege.

"I spoke yesterday to the agent for one of the site owners who told me of widespread concern that this will signal an end to future businesses investing in the Langstone Business Park."

Newport East MP Alan Howarth added his weight to the calls for an inquiry saying: "I hope the Court Service will reconsider its position and work with the council to find a satisfactory position in central Newport."