NEWPORT'S car crime epidemic is casting a shadow over plans to redevelop the city's former art college.

Councillors will decide tomorrow whether to approve proposals to convert the Clarence Place building into luxury flats.

But Gwent Police - one of those consulted by the council on the plan - say that a lack of secure parking could lead to a further rise in car crime. The Argus Car Safe campaign is helping reduce vehicle crime in Gwent by campaigning for improved security. And Gwent Police are running Operation Maple, an initiative to cut vehicle crime.

Now police fear the proposal for 63 luxury one to three-bedroom apartments and a penthouse - could lead to more crime.

In their submission they say: "Street parking facilities in the area do not form part of any recognised through routes, nor do they enjoy any form of added security or observation and could be subject to car criminals.

"Newport has experienced a large increase in theft of and from vehicles. The introduction of additional on-street parking could make this worse.

There is obviously a need to develop this building, but we cannot see how it can be done without creating an increase in car crime in the area."

Now a Newport councillor and South East Wales AM is calling for secure parking to be a requirement of any development.

William Graham said: "We have to make sure there is adequate secure parking for all new developments where possible.

"Where land is available, as it is in this case, we should use the old South Wales standard of one-and-a-half-spaces per dwelling. At the former art college this may mean the development needs to be reduced to ensure security. The Argus has rightly highlighted this problem and we should do what we can to reduce car crime through proper planning."

But one of the architects involved in the project told the Argus he was not aware of the problem and had no plans to include underground parking, for example, in the design.

Dave Bance, of Essex-based Merritt design, said: "I do not know of any issue over parking, that is for others to sort out."

On the design for the conversion, Mr Bance said: "There would be 63 luxury one to three-bedroom apartments and a penthouse in the copper dome. We will use contemporary interiors incorporating the original design features as well as completely renovating the exterior."