THE firm planning to build almost 1,000 homes at the former Alcan site has finalised a legal agreement promising a new school and community facilities.

Outline planning permission has been issued to Walters Land following the agreement between the developer and Newport council over the Jubilee Park scheme.

Remediation work on the former Alcan site is to begin his September, Walters said.

The agreement includes provision for affordable housing, a new primary school, a contribution towards secondary education, a new local centre and community facilities, and public open space on the site.

It also covers improvements to roads around the site. The firm says that promises of new jobs for the local economy are also encompassed in the legal agreement.

Its been estimated the development could create more than 1,800 jobs on and off site.

Around 530 would come from preparation of the site and construction, with another 1,135 would be created in the regional economy as a knock-on effect, such as through suppliers to construction and in the local centre.

The primary school is planned to have capacity for 300 students while the new local centre could be equipped with new shops, doctors' surgery, local offices, and a community space.

Mandrake House is to be set up as a site office, with members of the Walters team available to deal with queries.

Councillor Chris Evans said: “It’s been great working with Walters from the very beginning on this exciting project which will deliver many benefits for our community including a school, more jobs, road improvements and quality affordable homes for families.

“City councillors will continue to work closely with Walters, representing residents views”.

The company said it appreciated the support of local residents and will continue to work with the council, the community and others to keep them updated on progress throughout the site’s development.

Newport council’s planning committee agreed to grant outline planning permission for the project, which would be constructed over a 12-year period.

House building is hoped to start in April 2014 with construction to take place in four phases over a ten to 12 year period.

The firm will need to get further planning permission on the detail of its plans.

A contribution of £2 million had been requested from the developer by the council to improve facilities at the school Bassaleg High School, which is currently unable to accomodate the 238 places needed from the development.