PLANS for a £12million renovation of Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw in Pontypool were agreed by Torfaen cabinet members.

A report detailing the project to remodel, refurbish and extend the school, went before Torfaen cabinet members on Tuesday, who gave the go-ahead to proceed with the scheme.

In June 2008, the council agreed to jointly-fund the project with the local authorities in Newport, Blaenau Gwent and Monmouthshire, to reflect the number of pupils attending the school from outside Torfaen.

The school was originally intended to house 300 pupils but currently has 941 on its roll.

The financial commitment from the other three council’s is in the process of being finalised, with Torfaen providing £3,458,000, Newport £2,457,000, Blaenau Gwent £1,820,000 and £1,365,000 from Monmouthshire, over a three year period.

The Assembly is also set to give £3million for the project, which will see the school expanded to accommodate 1100 pupils.

The first part of the refurbishment of the school will see a £1million bus park built, which will enable all buses to park off the road.

The report stated work could possibly begin on this project in the autumn 2009 term.

Other road improvements are also under consideration, along with safe walking routes for the community.

Tony Walker, Torfaen council’s assistant chief education officer said: “There is a shortfall of Welsh medium places across the pan-Gwent area now, and therefore an opportunity to attract significant external funding to enable us to move a high priority secondary school to ‘fit for purpose’ in the foreseeable future.”

Cabinet members agreed the recommendations to publish statutory notices for the school to be expanded and “significantly” refurbished and remodelled.

Leader of the council Bob Wellington said: “This proves we can work with other authorities as there was commonality on this issue all the way through.

“We should give ourselves and the other authorities involved a pat on the back.”