TEACHERS, pupils and parents gathered at Duffryn High yesterday, to celebrate the decision to overturn a refusal for a new Welsh school at the site.

In February, Newport City Council’s planning committee threw out an application for a Welsh-language school on Lighthouse Road, after Natural Resources Wales raised concerns around the possibility the site could flood – despite there have been no flooding in the area since 1607.

But, following an outcry, the council's planning committee completed a remarkable u-turn on the project last week.

Now, Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Is Coed - as it will be known - is expected to be fully complete in time for September 2018.

Duffryn High - due to become John Frost School in September - will also receive a new classroom block and much needed investment.

The Facebook pages of both the Argus and Duffryn High were full of comments welcoming the decision.

Melanie Quarterly said: “Great news for Dyffryn (sic) and for Newport to finally get a Welsh medium secondary school that it desperately needs!” while Clare Houghton wrote: “So chuffed for our kids and the staff they deseve (sic) this!”

Newport-based Welsh-language website Menter Iaith Casnewydd also welcomed the decision.

One of the organisation’s directors Elinor Rickus said: “Unfortunate that several months had to be wasted reconsidering it, but the new school is now on its way, which is fantastic news.”

The organisation’s chief officer Elin Maher is also the chairwoman of the new school’s governing body.

Speaking last week headteacher at Duffryn High – to be renamed John Frost School in September - Jon Wilson said he was “delighted that at last common sense has prevailed”.

Pupils have already been accepted to start at the Welsh school but will have to share space at Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Teyrnon in Brynglas Drive for the next two academic years.