NEWPORT councillors will meet next week to discuss a report detailing the conversion of the former Gaer Infants School into a special autism unit.

A report, to be presented to Newport City Council’s planning committee on Wednesday, June 3, will detail an application for full planning permission to convert the old school site into an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) unit by September next year.

The works would also include extensions to the existing school building, the provision of a car park and a new pedestrian link to the Junior School, the report says.

A new school was created by merging Gaer Infant and Junior Schools, which was eventually opened in September last year.

Despite protests from parents and governors in 2013, the Welsh Minister for Education Huw Lewis gave the go-ahead to merge the schools, based at the junior school site on Gaer Road.

Campaigners wanted an empty annexe at the infants school extended and made into an autism unit, with infant pupils allowed to stay on site.

But the merger was given the green light, and now committee members will discuss a report recommending the former school site to be turned into a facility for children with autism.

The report says: “There is no specialist ASD school within the city and a number of pupils are currently receiving education in an ASD setting outside of the authority.

“Demand for such a provision continues to increase alongside a growing population.

“The former Gaer Infants School has been identified to provide for up to 48 pupils from foundation to key stage five and it is anticipated for occupation in September 2016. A number of modifications are required to meet the needs of this specialist unit, which form part of this application.”