A NEWPORT business which needs to move is making another bid to use a site despite meeting fierce opposition last time.
Builders' merchants Robert Price has to leave Rodney Parade because of the regeneration of the city centre.
Its present premises were compulsorily purchased by the Assembly but the company has remained while it finds an alternative base.
The intention is to eventually demolish the yard which is at the eastern end of the Usk Footbridge.
In 2006, it applied to move to a former transport yard in Corporation Road but residents and ward councillors mounted strong protests.
There was concern about noise and pollution levels as well as objections from nearby St Andrew's school about an increase in heavy goods vehicles using the road.
Members of the Newport council's planning committee decided to reject the plan and the company appealed.
At a subsequent inquiry, an independent inspector found that the only unacceptable part of the proposal was that the building's design which was not of a high enough quality for its riverfront site.
But he decided it would be acceptable if it could be effectively landscaped.
Now the company has resubmitted the scheme but slightly changed the layout to increase the landscaping along the river bank.
Officers are recommending the planning committee, which meets next Wednesday, grants permission for the amended application.
They are suggesting a number of conditions are imposed including approval by the authority of a scheme of landscaping.
But four letters of objection have been received from neighbours of the site.
Concerns again include the closeness of the school and homes and the danger of increased traffic
Business' new bid for riverside site
Newport mob attack - four arrested
FOUR Newport youths were arrested yesterday in connection with a mob attack on a 16-year-old boy.
The victim, a 16-year-old from Lliswerry, had his jacket and top ripped off him in the attack which happened on Lliswerry Road at 8pm on Saturday, January 19.
He was then allegedly knocked to the ground and kicked as a group of around 20 youths looked on.
A Gwent Police spokewoman said: "Officers have spoken to the complainant and following an initial response will be visiting family in the next few days to offer support."
Yesterday(FRI) police arrested four youths on suspicion of violent disorder, in connection with the attack.
One was 17, from the Ringland area of Newport, one was 16 from the Ringland area and one was 16 from the Beechwood area. The age of the last youth is not known.
The incident is understood to have been filmed on CCTV from a neighbouring house.
Police are still looking for others in connection with the incident -both witnesses and those who may have been involved in the attack.
They are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time of the attack or who has any information to call Gwent Police on 01633 838111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111
EBBW RAIL SERVICE TEST RUNS USE NEWPORT
The driver familiarisation runs for the new Ebbw Vale-Cardiff rail service have sparked a fresh controversy. The trains used Newport station to terminate/commence their journeys along the new line rather than Cardiff Central Station. At present, according to the Welsh Assembly Government and Network Rail it is impractical to run the service in to Newport because of signalling capacity issues to the west of the station. Instead, the service will run from Rogerstone in the city onward to Cardiff. Despite this trains used Newport during the key testing procedure prior to the commencement of passenger services on the route. There is no date set for the service to run to Newport although the Welsh Assembly has stated it will happen. It is unlikely to be complete by the Ryder Cup in September 2010. It seems all road and rail services only lead to our capital city.
HBG APPOINTED CAMPUS CONTRACTOR
The multi-million pound City Centre Campus planned by the University of Wales, Newport, has moved a step closer this week with the appointment HBG to prepare the site. Commenting on the design of the proposed new building, designed by architects BDP, Professor Anne Carlisle, Deputy Vice-Chancellor said, “The Hothouse will stand out in the building’s profile as a distinctive zone, suspended from the ceiling and connected by walkways". The new campus will house Newport Business School and the design, film and digital media aspects of the Newport School of Art, Media and Design. The £35m campus, situated on the banks of the River Usk, will be the first phase of an intended £50m development for the University with partnership funding from Newport City Council, the Welsh Assembly Government and Newport Unlimited. The plans for the first phase have been approved in outline by the City Council but are being considered in detail next week.
