A VALLEYS school will move to a new site on the former Ebbw Vale steelworks site, after Blaenau Gwent council approved the proposal earlier this week.

Pen y Cwm Special School is currently located on two sites in Beaufort and Garnlydan, will move into a 120-pupil building, on the site now known as The Works in time for September 2012.

The new school will have specialist features for children with learning difficulties or special educational needs.

A report presented to councillors at a meeting of the executive committee on Wednesday said that the school will include facilities for community use and ensure better facilities in one building as opposed to the two sites.

It also said that pupils will not have to travel for more than 45 minutes and free home to school transport will be provided as part of the council’s policy.

Councillor Stephen Bard said: "The project will certainly raise the aspirations and self-esteem of many of these young people (pupils) and will include facilities for community use."

The plans are part of a £44million project, funded by a Welsh Assembly transitional grant, to create new schools on the site which will see Pontygof and Waunlwyd primary schools merge, as will Glyncoed and Ebbw Vale comprehensive schools.

They will move into two schools on the site in September 2012 and 2013 respectively.

Coleg Gwent will run a college for all post-16 education in the borough with Brynmawr Foundation and Tredegar Comprehensive schools losing their sixth forms.