PLANS to rebuild a fire damaged Cwmbran school have been given the go ahead by councillors, after they agreed to contribute £750,000 to the overall building costs.

Torfaen full council met yesterday (TUES) to discuss the allocation of funding towards the overall cost of construction works at Coed Eva Primary School.

Since a blaze destroyed the infant and nursery block at the school in the early hours of New Year’s Day 2016, temporary classrooms have been in operation at the school for learners to continue their education.

But the plans will see the fire-ravaged buildings replaced, and linked to the existing school, with Torfaen council's insurer contributing £2.95 million to the overall cost.

At a previous meeting of the council's cabinet, two building plans for the future of the school were proposed by officers but the linked option was preferred.

Speaking yesterday, councillor David Yeowell appealed to councillors to support the recommendations and said that the head was “quite happy” that the proposal may be accepted.

“Erecting the new build at the other side of the existing school and creating a walkway from the new build to the existing block, covers virtually everything that the school would want on their wish list,” he said.

“This would cost another £750,000 and this is where I have to thank my colleague Anthony Hunt and his team as they have been gracious, accepting and acknowledging that this is a worthy plan.

“What we have is something that amounts to £3.7 million pounds. What we have is a new school effectively there.”

Deputy council leader cllr Hunt added: “I think its right that we put the extra money into this to get them a solution [...] that’s the right thing to do for the pupils of the school."