NEWPORT campaigners against building a school on a former landfill site say they are concerned approval was given to build a school on a former rubbish tip in North Wales. Conwy council yesterday voted in favour of building a school on a former tip.

And Newport protesters opposing similar plans to replace Durham Road schools with new buildings on the Glebelands site say the decision could also affect them. The Children's Commissioner for Wales, Peter Clarke, expressed concerns about building schools on former landfill sites in October because so little was known about possible risks.

Chris Hill, of the Glebeland Campaign Committee, said: "It sets a very dangerous precedent for Newport and across South Wales."

And Lesley McCarthy, lead campaigner with children's environmental rights organisation Rebecca, said: "The issue of the health of children who will attend the schools has still not been addressed by either Conwy or Newport councils." A spokeswoman for Newport council said it was still waiting for an official report from the Children's Commissioner.

Before work starts on the North Wales school, in Llandudno, major work will be carried out to ensure the site is decontaminated.