PLANS to build new classrooms and a car park at a Torfaen school have been given the go ahead by planners despite residents' concerns.

The decision on two applications for Cwmffrwdoer Primary School, Pontypool, was made by Torfaen County Borough Council’s planning committee at a meeting on Tuesday, August 23.

The first plan will see the creation of a new private car park, extension of the school’s existing play area, ground works and a new drop-off area adjacent to Waunddu road.

Speaking about the proposed car park, guest speaker Mrs Powell raised issues about the potential traffic impact the new drop off point could cause in the Chapel Road area including access issues.

Highways officer Paul Wheeldon, responded: “This is an extension to something that is already there and has been there for the last 40 years.

“Is the existing network so detrimental to safety that it should be refused on highways."

He added: “What this offers is a significant benefit with the introduction of more pupils going to this school. Residents can use the parking bays when the school is not in use.”

The second application, now approved with conditions, will see a four classroom extension, refurbishment of the existing school building and a new extension to the main hall.

Mrs Powell, speaking at the meeting, added concerns over the issue of historic sink holes at the school, with Torfaen CBC officers acknowledging the ground stability issues at the site.

“I don’t know how to get my point over about how dangerous the ground is over there at the moment,” Mrs Powell said.

Cwmffrwdoer Primary School was built on reclaimed land in 1983 and the site is part of a former colliery and mine working area.

An original plan for four classroom extensions and building refurbishments was withdrawn in March with another application submitted in April.

Speaking to the Argus last month about the school, Cllr Barry Taylor, of the Snatchwood ward, expressed similar concern for the “safety of the school, the teachers and specially the children”.

Planners agreed to pass the proposals for classroom extensions but that the project would not be allowed to proceed until “significant stabilisation measures were put into place”.

Planning committee chairman Cllr Brian Mawby added: “I think that’s a very important safeguard in respect of the comments and the fears that Mrs Powell and others have expressed in relation to extending the school in particular.

“It’s quite clear that both the Coal Board and Natural Resources Wales are putting forward their requirements.

“I’m sure as an authority we would want to make sure they were followed in order to ensure that the risk, if any, was minimal.”

The school extension plans were passed by Torfaen CBC.