THE campaign to get the former Caerleon Campus listed has taken a step forward after Wales’ heritage service suggested it was inclined to grant listed status to the buildings.

Earlier this month the Argus reported the Welsh Government’s economy secretary Ken Skates had recommended the 104-year-old former Training College building, gatehouses and gate-piers should be granted listed status.

Cadw, Wales’ historic environment service, has previously refused to grant listed status to any of the campus buildings, which would protect them from development without special consent.

But now an email sent to campaigner Michael Enea by Cadw’s Rhodri Kelly has revealed an assessment carried out by the organisation “supports listing”.

“I can confirm that we have inspected the main university building, gatehouses and original gate pillars and our initial assessment supports listing,” he said.

“We are currently consulting the owner, the local planning authority and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales before finalising a decision.”

Mr Enea called the revelation “great news”. “Hopefully the final end result will also support a listing,” he said.

The University of South Wales left the 32-acre site at the end of July, with proposals to build 400 new homes on the site being met with widespread opposition from residents in the area.

Speaking earlier this month Mr Skates, who is also responsible for culture and heritage in Wales, said: “I recognise the importance of this site and I am pleased to confirm that following careful consideration of a listing request submitted to Cadw earlier this year and a recent visit to the site by my officials, I feel that the former Caerleon Training College near Newport should be awarded listed status.

“I will now be seeking the views of the owner, the local planning authority and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales about possibly listing the main building, gate-houses and gate-piers at Caerleon College as buildings of special architectural and historic interest before making any final decision.

“Any listing would regulate the demolition of the building through a process known as listed building consent.”

The proposal to list the buildings has won widespread support, with long-serving Newport West MP Paul Flynn writing to Cadw earlier this month throwing his support behind the plan.

In the letter the veteran Labour MP said the buildings had “played a pivotal role in the life of Caerleon and the rest of Gwent”.

He called the closure of the college “a matter of intense regret to local people”.

“Retention of the best parts of building for alternative uses would help to reduce the effects of the blow,” he added.

“It is appreciated that the buildings have no claim for listing on the grounds of antiquity but the central brilliant role that the buildings have played in local life warrants their protection from demolition.”

Cadw declined to comment further.