PLANS to transform primary education in Abergavenny are to go ahead as the green light is given to controversial plans to close three schools.

National Assembly Minister Jane Davidson has backed Monmouthshire council's unpopular plans to close Park Street Infants, St David's Junior and Croesonen Infants.

Work will now go on to extend and remodel Harold Road Primary School. As part of its strategic review of primary education Monmouthshire council wanted to close the three schools in Abergavenny and replace them with a new 420-place primary school on the site of Llwynu Infants School and a 210-place primary school on the site of Harold Road Junior.

The plans met a storm of protests from parents and governors of the schools earmarked for closure who have fought to keep them open. But Councillor Mike Smith, cabinet member for lifelong learning, welcomed Ms Davidson's decision.

He said: "I am very pleased that the minister has seen fit to support our proposals for the remodelling of Harold Road School.

"I hope that the parents who will be sending their children to Harold Road will join me in eager anticipation of what I expect to be an exciting remodelling of the school, which will significantly enhance the quality of education for Abergavenny children."

Karen Waters, chairwoman of governors at Harold Road Junior School, said she was pleased the decision had at last been made. "The new school will be a substantial investment in the children of the area.

"And although there have been many parents who have not supported the plans, I hope that now we can all begin to work together for the good of the children."

Governors of Park Street Infants School are still pinning their hopes on gaining voluntary-aided status as a Church in Wales school.

Governors' chairwoman Norma Watkins said the school was still waiting to hear whether its application had been successful.

She said: "We are determined not to let Park Street Infants close."

The new Harold Road School will be open in September 2005, and, in its first year, will transfer to the St David's site while the necessary remodelling takes place at the existing school.

* Public meetings are to be held on March 8, at 5pm and 7pm at King Henry VIII School, Abergavenny, to give people the opportunity to hear the latest news on the plans.