THERE are still many questions to be answered about last week's decision by Newport planners to turn down the council's own proposal for a Welsh medium secondary school in the city.

The plan to build a new school next to the current Duffryn High School attracted Welsh Government funding, some of which would have been used to pay for much-needed refurbishments Duffryn.

Refusing planning permission, following concerns raised by Natural Resources Wales about the risk of flooding on the site, was met with disappointment, shock and anger by parents, pupils and staff of both Duffryn and the proposed new school.

It is not unfair to say they have been let down badly.

Parents have dubbed the situation a 'farce'. The respected head teacher at Duffryn says it is a 'shambles'.

In our view, a full independent investigation is needed to examine how the council ended up in this mess.

The fury of those expecting better for their children was clear for all to see at two public meetings last week.

And while we commend the council's strategic director for people and head of education for taking the flak at the meetings, we do wonder why the city's leader, chief executive and cabinet member for education were not in attendance.

If ever a situation demanded leadership rather than delegation, it is this one.