DEVELOPERS of a proposed crematorium near Bassaleg School are ‘re-assessing their options’ following a public consultation.

Bassaleg residents were outraged last week over proposals to build a crematorium 200 yards from a junior school building.

The development is proposed at a 3.76 hectares field south of the school and would also include a remembrance field.

Residents cited reasons for concern including the proximity to the school and heavy traffic in the area.

Around 298 Approximately 300 residents attended a public consultation last Monday a week ago at the Graig Community Hall, with a number of residents criticising the lack of publicity around the consultation.

Asbri Planning, on behalf of developers Blairgar Ltd, said their clients were now ‘re-assessing options at the Bassaleg site.’

Councillor Paul Gregory, chairman of Graig Community Council, said: “I’ve had a long chat with the planning consultant following all the concern from the meeting.

“He told me that it seems 90 per cent likely that the project will be completely shelved.

“The community council and myself have been overwhelmed with the number of people who attended the open meeting who all unanimously rejected the proposal.”

He added: “It’s evident that a new crematorium is needed in Gwent but this was completely the wrong site.

“Not only because of the proximity to the school but the traffic problems.”

The proposed vehicle access will be east of the Griffin but residents say this road is too narrow and is very congested during school start and end times.

Planning consultants for the developers said that they have had exploratory conversations with 17 local funeral directors in the area who say another Gwent crematorium in needed as the site in Cwmbran has waiting times of up to three weeks.

They said a highways assessment has already been undertaken when the school was open.

The proposed crematorium would hold services from 10am to 4pm.