Photo: Richard Rogers Partnership

On Tuesday Assembly Members gave approval for the �55m project to be built - but campaigners say officials are putting broadcasters ahead of others in latest blueprints.

Disability Wales wants the planned sloping, multi-level seating in the chamber to be scrapped in favour of a wheelchair-friendly flat design.

The organisation is threatening to pull out of an advisory group on the issue in protest at the issue.

Rights

Five years after architect Richard Rogers' original designs were approved, and after many setbacks, work could start on the building in Cardiff Bay as soon as August.

AMs are set to leave their current chamber

The chamber will have seating for 100 members of the public and 30 journalists as well as members, according to plans.

An Access Advisory Group in the assembly has been discussing rights for disabled people.

But Disability Wales Chief Executive Rhian Davies said the design of the chamber will make life difficult for AMs and visitors with mobility problems.

"There is going to be quite a steep rake - their proposal is to put in platform lifts, which we feel is not an acceptable design in achieving equality," she said.

For a brand new building to be resorting to platform lifts is a step backwards Disability Wales

"Platform lifts are put in as a last resort to buildings constructed at a time when disability rights issues weren't even a consideration.

"For a brand new building to be resorting to platform lifts is a step backwards."

The group may now walk out of consultations on the building.

Arwyn Evans of construction firm Taylor Woodrow said: "We have an exemplary building and design - the assembly building in its entirety meets all the British standards on accessibility.

"In the debating chamber, there is a need for compromise between the broadcasting requirements and accessibility.

"That means the chamber has to have a very small rake of approximately 150mm - most chambers around the world have a degree of rake.

"That gives us the best possible broadcasting solution and ... maximum access for people viewing outside the chamber itself. A lot of people will be watching on television and it is important.