Campaigners opposed to a planned �3m asylum appeals hearing court in Newport have expressed fears that a residential centre will be set up alongside the site.

An action group has been formed by people living near Columbus House in Langstone to fight the plans for the court and any proposals for an asylum accommodation unit.

I believe that there are definite plans regarding residential accommodation for asylum seekers at or near the site

David Atwell, Councillor

The Home Office have refused to confirm or deny whether or not plans are in place to set up an accommodation centre at or near the court.

A petition has been handed in to Newport council, demanding an investigation into what is planned.

About 280 residents attended a public meeting on Friday about the centre, which will deal with appeals against immigration and asylum decisions made by the Home Office.

Langstone councillor David Atwell said residents are angry about the development, which is due to open before Christmas.

'Adequate information'

"People were very unhappy with what they heard at the meeting," he said.

"The specialists from the court service failed to give adequate information about the future plans of the site.

"Members of the public felt they were being misled.

"I believe that there are definite plans regarding residential accommodation for asylum seekers at or near the site," said Mr Atwell.

A spokeswoman for the Home Office which deals with accommodation for asylum seekers said there had been no announcement for a placing a housing centre in Newport.

However, she said that they are still evaluating the potential use of the disused psychiatric hospital in Sully, near Cardiff and said that other sites were under consideration.

She refused to name what sites were being looked at but said an announcement naming the areas would be made before Christmas.

Consultation

Work has already started at the premises, because the development is covered by legislation which means normal planning controls do not apply.

Despite the project being protected by Crown Immunity, the developers - the Immigration Appellate Authority - are required to consult Newport council.

A spokesman for the Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA) said they had gone through the appropriate planning application process for change of use.

"This allows representations to be made by the public and this is still ongoing," he said.

"The IAA will continue to follow the appropriate procedures for the planning application for change of use and awaits the council's decision," he added.