COUNCIL chiefs say fears raised by the Children's Commissioner for Wales over a planned new school on a former Newport waste tip could be fuelling parents' concerns.

The WLGA (Welsh Local Government Association) says the comments of Peter Clarke (pictured) could result in "raising public concern to the point where unfounded apprehension outweighs proper analysis".

Mr Clarke said yesterday he believed a replacement for Newport's Durham Road School should not be built on the Glebelands site.

That followed exclusive revelations in Tuesday's Argus that he was poised to do so. Mr Clarke believes not enough is known about the health risks of building on former landfill sites for him to give the plans the go-ahead.

Newport council refuses to comment on his statement, saying it has not received anything official from him.

But Councillor Goronwy Parry, the WLGA's deputy spokesman for education, said: "The WLGA respects the purpose and intent of the commissioner in investigating any matters which affect children's welfare and interests.

"However, there is perhaps a balance to be struck in cases such as these between the smallest possibility of an impact on future health, the consequences of children continuing to be taught in the existing buildings, and the manifest benefits from improving their educational and environmental conditions.

"Local authorities invest in appropriate testing and scientific advice to weigh up the risks, and it would be a pity if the commissioner's intervention were to result in raising public concern to the point where unfounded apprehension outweighs proper analysis."

Mr Clarke had said he could see the limitations of the present school building, but proposals for its replacement should not proceed in their present form.

He said: "I am convinced we simply do not know if there are any risks to the health of our children arising from a decision to place them in schools on the landfill sites in question. "While there is even a possibility that there may be such risks, I do not believe we should move forward in this way."

Newport councillor Alan Perry, of St Julian's ward, said it sounded as if the commissioner was acting with a "responsible attitude".

Councillor Perry said he had not seen the statement, but agreed "we need to be 100 per cent certain" before laying a single brick on the Glebelands site.