THE first asylum seekers will arrive at the Langstone immigration hearing centre in just five weeks' time.

The start date surprised local leaders and residents opposed to the centre, who feel their views are being ignored in a "secret and underhand" process to get the centre finished.

The first cases from asylum seekers and immigrants appealing against Crown decisions will be heard on December 2 at Columbus House, the former Alcatel office on Langstone Business Park, people were told at a public meeting held on Friday.

The Crown does not need planning permission for the £3m project and work has already started on converting the building, which will handle up to 32 cases a day. Newport councillor for Langstone David Atwell said: "I was absolutely shocked to hear the centre would open so soon.

"I was thinking more in terms of spring 2003. The government is riding roughshod over everybody."

Around 280 people packed the public meeting at the Hilton Hotel on Friday night to hear presentations from the Crown as part of a consultation process.

But Mr Atwell said: "It all appears to be a fait accompli. The centre will open anyway. There was never due to be any discussion on this from the government. It seems it doesn't matter what we think.

"Residents' fears are for the safety of their children from people hanging around the centre. Nearby there is a new estate with young families.

"My phone doesn't stop ringing about this issue. Residents are determined to campaign against the centre. I wouldn't be surprised if there is some picketing when it opens."

William Graham, AM for South Wales East, called on the Crown to "provide reassuring answers and not seek to enforce the centre via underhanded procedures and secrecy."

Residents have pledged funds to an action committee formed to lobby MPs and seek legal options.

Newport planning committee will deliver its thoughts on the plans on November 20, but the Crown has no obligation to act on them.

Martin John, of the Crown Service, told the meeting the centre would not have residential facilities and none were planned for the future.