By Ruth Mansfield A NEW £8.7 million special educational needs school is set to come to Torfaen if plans are given the go-ahead.

Torfaen councillors are recommended to approve an application from Torfaen Educational Service to build a new 70-pupil school in the grounds of Croesyceiliog Comprehensive.

If it goes ahead this will be the second and third phase of a project to modernise and transform Crownbridge Special School which is now deemed unsuitable to meet the needs of the children.

Phase one was completed at Penygarn Primary School two years ago providing 16 places for Crownbridge pupils.

The new school includes 10 separate classrooms, each with an associated store room, quiet room and canopy covered external teaching space.

Plans also include a hydrotherapy pool, a multi-purpose hall and staff facilities including staffrooms, offices and a parent interview room.

There will also be a lifeskills apartment in the new school which will cater for three to 19-year -olds. This will help older pupils with self-sufficiency skills.

Up to 77 members of staff are expected to be based at the school.

Councillors are recommended to approve the plans at a planning meeting on Tuesday subject to a number of conditions including that samples of the proposed structure are submitted to the local planning authority and approved in writing.

If approved, work is expected to start on the new building within the next few months.

Executive member for children and young people, Cllr Mary Barnett said: "We are very hopeful that planning will agree to proposals because we are heartened by the fact that governors, parents and staff of the two schools are most enthusiastic by the plans. This will be of significant benefit to pupils at Crownbridge and also to pupils at Croesyceiliog who can welcome these pupils into their school community."