A NEW crematorium will be built in Newport after councillors gave plans the thumbs-up.

The application for the 5.2-hectare site off Magor Road in Langstone was approved by five votes to two at a meeting of Newport City Council’s planning committee yesterday, Wednesday.

Although it is hoped the new crematorium, which will include a chapel, will relieve pressure on Gwent Crematorium in Cwmbran, people living in the area had branded the plans “dangerous”.

Speaking at yesterday’s meeting Cllr Edward Jeffrey of Langstone Community Council said he and his colleagues were concerned about the impact on traffic in the area and parking while services are being carried out. He said he did not believe the 94 parking spaces, including 20 overflow spaces, would be enough and would lead to cars parking dangerously on the road.

But resident Alan Williams said he was in favour of the plans, which he called “a very responsible proposal”.

“I feel this will be well received by Newport residents,” he said.

“There is a need for a new crematorium in the Newport and Monmouth catchment area.”

Planning officer Geraint Roberts said he believed the Magor Road site was the best place for the much-needed new crematorium.

“Finding an urban location is difficult,” he said. “It has to be a suitable location.

“There is no better site that can accommodate this.”

But ward member Cllr David Atwell, who will take up the role of Mayor of Newport in May, said he did not believe Magor Road was an appropriate place for the facility, citing concerns around the potential of the site for flooding.

“I fear that you, my colleagues, are being asked to gamble as you make your decision,” he said.

But Labour member for Stow Hill Cllr Miqdad Al-Nuiami disagreed, saying: “We have got to have somewhere nice, somewhere tranquil.

“Locking at the one in Torfaen, it’s a very attractive facility. That is important.”

He added it was also important something was done to relieve the pressure on Gwent Crematorium, one of the busiest in the UK.

To view the full plans visit newport.gov.uk and search for application 15/0646.