The proposed site of the replacement school

But parents of children at Ysgol John Bright in Llandudno, are against the plan and have won the support of environmental groups who say the area could be hazardous to health.

And the Children's Commissioner for Wales and north Wales' head of public health have also expressed concern about the proposals.

The one thing that almost all parties agree on is that the old Ysgol John Bright is no longer suitable for pupils and staff - it is in a poor state of repair and has inadequate facilities.

The dispute is over where to relocate it.

The assembly-approved initiative to build a new school is on a site which was formerly a waste tip and gas works.

Friends of the Earth Cymru has said that despite assurances the area will be cleaned up it could still pose a health risk to children.

Children's Commissioner Peter Clarke

Children's Commissioner for Wales Peter Clarke intervened after government research in August found a slighter higher risk of birth defects in children living within two kilometers of landfill sites.

But Conwy County Council is expected to give the go-ahead for work to proceed and many parents have said they are prepared to listen to the authority if it can assure them that the site will be safe.

The children's rights group Rebecca - Children's Right to a Safe Environment - called on the assembly to scrap the plan.

It has claimed a full risk assessment has not been carried out on the proposals.