CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans for a new school on a former landfill site in Newport have written to the Queen as the latest step in their long-running battle.

The land at the Glebelands is earmarked for replacement schools for Durham Road Infants and Juniors.

Now campaigner David Thorndell, pictured, says he has received a letter back from the Queen's household after writing to her about the issue.

The letter, signed by the Palace chief correspondence officer, says that the Queen has taken careful note of Mr Thorndell's comments and has sent his letter to Margaret Beckett, secretary of state for the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs so that she can consider the points raised.

Mr Thorndell said: "I wrote to her Majesty before her recent visit to Newport to see if she could spare us five minutes. I knew she would be too busy, but if you don't ask you don't get.

"She is interested enough to pass it on to minister of the environment, Margaret Beckett. Hopefully she will take notice if the Queen has asked her to look into it."

The Argus exclusively revealed on Saturday how material removed from the site could have caused cancer.

"Contaminated" soil and barrels of paint discovered at the Glebelands were described as "carcinogenic" by the firm which removed them. Mr Thorndell said: "This is becoming a national problem with more plans to build schools on landfill sites.

"Councillors take these decisions, but the kids who will go to the school don't have any choice. We have got to act to protect their future - who knows what long-term effects this waste could have on the children?

"There should be a proper independent inquiry and a referendum of local people."

Newport council has agreed in principle to the schools plan, but the decision still has to go before the planning committee and no date has been set. The council has stressed that the Glebelands site would be cleaned up before any building work went on.

David Griffiths, the council's chief education officer, said: "The health and safety of pupils and staff is the council's priority and in no circumstances would a school be built on a site that could not be made safe. Extensive work will be undertaken to ensure the suitability of the land based on the consultation of independent consultants."