A NEW row has broken out over replacing the dilapidated Durham Road schools in Newport.

Protesters, who object to a replacement being built on a former waste tip at Glebelands, have suggested the old Westfield school site as an alternative.

Westfield is currently being used by Rogerstone school while their fire-damaged building is replaced.

The Glebelands Action Group (GAG) say that when Rogerstone is finished Durham Road pupils could be schooled there.

But the school's chairman of governors has dismissed the idea.

Since Durham Road was designated a priority rebuild 15 years ago the project has been dogged by delays and controversy.

Last week, the Argus reported that the original contractor meant to build the school under a private finance scheme had pulled out.

Protesters claim the former dump is not safe and that Newport council has been secretive about waste removed from the site. But a report to Newport council said the site would be safe if capped.

John Martin, of GAG, said: "Westfield has all the facilities and is not very far away. "While they were there they could redevelop or rebuild the schools on the present Durham Road site.

"They say it is too small for the number of pupils they have but they are bussing in children from other areas to make up the numbers as it is. The LEA say that numbers will continue to fall.

"There is also the Compton Webb site which would also be better, but what we want is the council to work with us to find a solution."

But Ken Goodger, Durham Road School's chairman of governors, said that the Glebelands site was the only realistic site for the school.

Mr Goodger said: "Bussing the children to Westfield every day is simply not an option. The present site is simply too small to meet modern educational requirements.

"I accept that rolls are falling but we still need playing fields, PE facilities and room for IT." A spokeswoman for Newport council said that Glebelands was the only suitable site and negotiations with a new contractor were under way.