PLANS for a multimillion pound primary school on The Works site in Ebbw Vale were approved by Blaenau Gwent council last week.

The proposals form part of the borough’s radical education shake-up, which will see a new primary and and secondary school built on the former steel works site.

Blaenau Gwent council gave the go-ahead to the 420-place primary school at a meeting last Thursday, in a move which represents the latest step in the £350 million regeneration project taking place at The Works.

The new primary school will replace the former Pontygof and Waunlwyd primary schools, as well as Pen y Cwm special school.

Plans put before the committee show the 4,300 square metre building will include a primary school, special educational needs unit and an integrated children’s centre.

It will also have a sports pitch, playground, 162-space car park, minibus drop-off point, cycle shelter, and a wild flower meadow to the north of the school.

The roof of the two-storey building will be covered with solar panels and a sedum blanket, which is a mix of lower lying plants.

Councillors approved the plans with a number of conditions and pupils will move into the school in September 2012.

The new primary and secondary schools are being funded by a £44 million grant from the Welsh Assembly.

Plans for the secondary school, which will replace Ebbw Vale and Glyncoed Comprehensives as well as Brynmawr Foundation School and Tredegar Comprehensive’s sixth form departments, have not yet been released.

The planning committee also approved plans for a new energy centre at The Works, which will help power the site and be used as a public classroom and exhibition area.