THE opening of a new primary school in Newport will be postponed for a year following approval by the city council’s cabinet.

A new English-medium school on the Glan Llyn development was due to open this September but will now open in September 2019.

The council say they would have insufficient time to complete necessary works before developers St. Modwen hand over the building in August.

Councillor Debbie Wilcox said the delay would allow the English-medium school, which will accommodate 420 pupils, to be established “more effectively”.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting, the council leader said: “In my experience in opening new schools the support that’s needed for that where possible a longer timeframe is relevant.

“It gives the opportunity for effective establishment of school terms, the appointment of staff and procurement of resources.

“We wouldn’t do anything that wasn’t right for the young people and children involved. We have to put our values into practice and children are key.”

The council say families can take advantage of around 105 surplus places at schools within the Lliswerry and Llanwern areas in the coming academic year.

But prior to being unanimously approved on Wednesday, the move had been opposed by the Conservative councillor for Llanwern, Martyn Kellaway.

Cllr Kellaway had said in a report: “Residents, mums, dads and grandparents have invested time and money and their children’s future in Newport and the [Glan Llyn] development only now to be let down if the cabinet chooses to ignore their views.”

Glan Llyn residents had also been opposed to the delay, with the council receiving 13 letters of objection from families.

A further two objections had raised concerns about the lack of Welsh language provision, a need the council say can be fulfilled by surplus spaces at the nearby Ysgol Cymraeg Casnewydd.

Deputy leader Councillor Mark Whitcutt said: “There are good educational reasons why this proposal needs to be accepted. It’s a sensible step.”