THE managing director of Newport council, Chris Freegard, has launched a full investigation into the handling of a proposed sports hall scheme at St Julian's School.

The council said heavy opposition from residents was a key reason behind them ditching plans for a £1million hall.

But a St Julians' councillor claimed he was given figures which more than quadrupled the level of opposition.

Councillor Ed Townsend said he was told in a cabinet briefing there were 279 people who were completely opposed to any sports hall at the school.

He said he then counted the petitions and letters himself, and discovered only 62 were protesting. Most residents wanted a hall, but in a different spot, he said.

The allegations caused a huge row in a full council meeting, and Mr Freegard promised to investigate the accuracy of the officers' information. He said: "I'm extremely concerned. There are allegations of lies, untruths and misleading statements.

"That's something we now need to investigate. "If proven true, they could constitute gross misconduct."

Many residents welcomed the sports hall, but wanted it sited at the rear, instead of at the front of the school, as planned. They said a front location would be an eyesore and take up valuable space.

The St Julian's sports centre would have brought a sports hall, games courts, a fitness suite, new changing- rooms and meeting areas to the 1,420-pupil school and surrounding community.

But the council scrapped the plans and has applied to spend the New Opportunity fund cash on developing facilities at Bettws High.

Councillor Bob Poole, cabinet member for young people's services, said: "There were about 270 residents saying they didn't want it at all."

He said the level of opposition meant: "It would not go through planning and it would've been wrong for us to take it on (the funding) and then lose it.

"Bettws needs a facility and was always on the list. The right decision was made.

"It's because of public opposition to the scheme. We agree that St Julian's needs a new sports hall."

Councillor Townsend said there were a further 363 objections from people who did not want the sports hall at the front of the building, but did not rule out a different location. He claims the council told him there were 316.