The inquiry into the hearing centre is expected to last three days

Rhodri Price Lewis, representing the Immigration Appellate Authority, admitted in his opening submissions that proper procedures for the proposed change of use for the building were not followed.

He said it was a "shame" adding that the IAA had been "wrongly advised".

He continued: "We are sorry", and said that the correct procedures had since been followed to bring the proposal before the inspector.

During his speech he said that had the procedures been dealt with properly, "some of the misunderstanding and rumour about what is proposed could have been laid to rest at an early stage".

Mr Price Lewis said he regretted that procedures were not properly followed

The Welsh assembly inquiry, led by planning inspector John Davies, is considering plans by the IAA to use Columbus House, in the Langstone area of the city, as a hearing centre for asylum seekers appealing against Home Office decisions.

Up to 160 appeal hearings a week by asylum seekers would be held at the centre if it were to get the go-ahead.

But the immigration authority has faced strong opposition to the plans from city residents, and Newport council's planning committee has already rejected the proposals.

The inquiry is being held after the IAA appealed against the council's ruling.

The hearing, which was well attended mainly by people from the Langstone community objecting to the plans, is scheduled to last three days.

Views from the Court Service, Newport City Council, Members of the Langstone Action Group and councillor for Langstone, David Atwell, are expected to be aired during the proceedings.

The room which houses the inquiry was packed with people

At the start of the inquiry, John Griffiths, AM for Newport East, who is opposed to Columbus House being used, said: "This whole site is totally unsuitable - it is on the outskirts of Newport, some distance from the town centre."

He said he was disappointed that the UK government were still trying to take this development forward despite the plans being rejected by Newport council.

"It is ill-conceived and I am sorry to see that it has got this far.

"There is very strong feeling from the local community that it should not be allowed to proceed," he added.

Proposals

The proposals at the site include eight hearing rooms designed to hear first level appeals from asylum seekers based in south and mid Wales and the west and south west of England.

A hearing room where war pensions appeals can be heard is also proposed.

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

About 20 administrative staff are based at the centre carrying out work on the appeals which at present are held in courts in Cardiff and Newport.

The hearing centre is aimed at dealing specifically with appeals against immigration and asylum decisions made by the Home Office.