NEWPORT will have a permanent Welsh-language secondary school by September 2018, parents have been promised, despite a previous plan being thrown out just two days ago.

The promise was made at a public meeting this evening where Wednesday’s shock decision by Newport City Council’s Planning Committee to block an application for the Welsh-medium school at the site of Duffryn High School was discussed.

About 100 parents, teachers and youngsters packed into the Civic Centre to hear the council’s head of education James Harris say an arrangement for pupils due to be starting at the school this September to be temporarily based at Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Teyrnon in Brynglas Drive would have to be extended an extra year.

But he promised the new school – which it was announced will be named Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Iscoed after the historic name for the part of the region Newport lies in – would be ready to go by September 2018. This commitment was made despite him claiming just 48 hours earlier there was “no Plan B”.

Asked how likely it was the arrangement with Bro Teyrnon would have to be extended beyond the end of the 2017-2018 academic year, Mr Harris said: "There is absolutely no prospect whatsoever of that happening.

“I go on the public record – that is absolutely not going to happen."

When asked why the council does not have the option to appeal against the decision, the council’s strategic director for people Mike Nicholson was met with scoffs when he said: "The reason we can't appeal is because it's the rules."

Mr Nicholson added the council is legally required to provide Welsh-language education, and failing to do so would leave it open to legal action.

"Newport not having a Welsh medium secondary school is a shame upon us,” he said.

"We have to find a solution and we are committed to doing that."

Chairwoman of the governors of the new school Elin Maher gave a passionate speech at this evening’s meeting, saying: "If we don't fight for this school today we will never get it.

"I am very passionate about this. We have waited long enough.”

She added she wanted to assure parents the quality of their children’s education would not be affected by the lack of a permanent base.

"This is about our children,” she said. “It's not about us as adults.

"It's about our children and our children's future."

It was also announced this evening a public consultation into formally severing the agreement with Duffryn High will be launched on Monday, February 22 and run until Thursday, March 10. Mr Harris also announced the council would carry out a review of the issue to in an effort to determine if lessons could be learned for the future.

WELSH GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES SCHOOLS INVESTMENT

AS THE future of Duffryn High and Welsh-language education in Newport hangs in the balance, the Welsh Government has announced a £23 million investment into schools in the country.

Finance minister Jane Hutt announced the investment today, along with a £20 million commitment to build 230 new affordable homes across Wales.

“The additional funding announced today will deliver real and long-term benefits for people,” she said.

It is believed the projects will safeguard 800 jobs in Wales.

A Welsh Government spokesman said the cash had not yet been allocated to specific areas of Wales.