MORE than 100 flats could be built on the site of a former Newport golf clubhouse.

Developers Taylor Woodrow want to build 101 two-bed apartments on part of the former Tredegar Park Golf Course, Rogerstone.

The development will see blocks of three-storey buildings and 135 car spaces on the 1.57 hectare site bordered by Bassaleg Road, the railway line and the M4.

But the plan is already causing controversy.

Gwent police have told city planners that crime could be encouraged by the open access of the flats complex and because some car parking spaces are not overlooked by homes.

Newport council received 13 letters of objection from residents, many from Glasllwch View, claiming the flats would be an eyesore and that an alternative site in Newport should be found.

And they say property prices would fall, Bassaleg Road would become congested, and privacy would be lost.

The Tredegar Park Golf Club used the course until 1999 when it moved to a newly-built site near Ynysyfro Reservoir, Fourteen Locks.

Developers said to minimise road and railway noise they would take design precautions such as an acoustic fence and specialist double glazing.

Council Planning papers show a pair of "important" oak trees will be preserved and a large "village green" open space will create garden space for residents.

A cycle track is to be provided through the site and developers hope residents will use the train and bus services.

Residents claim there is no demand for the flats, which would be likely to be bought as starter or retirement homes.

But Peter Williams, development control manager at Newport council, said developers had shown the majority of new homes in the city are three and four-bed detached buildings.

An earlier application for 28 houses and 12 apartments is awaiting a decision because of sewage issues.

l An administrative blunder meant Newport planning committee was unable to decide on the application yesterday.

Planning officers had asked the wrong community council for their opinions on the development - asking Graig instead of Rogerstone. The site lies on the boundary between the two wards and Graig community council objected strongly to the plans.

But councillors agreed not to approve or reject the scheme until Rogerstone community council has returned its opinion after meeting on November 5.