A RADIO station airing shows for disabled people is to move into a disused primary school which shut a decade ago.

Able Radio in Pontypool also has an academy which trains the disabled and people from disabled backgrounds to improve their chances of earning a living.

The 10-staff station also provides music coaching and undertakes video and photography projects.

Able Radio in Hospital Road has submitted a business plan to take over Upper Cwmbran Infant School, which closed in 2004 and has been vacant since 2010.

The move will allow the radio station launched in 2008 to carry on growing.

Torfaen Cabinet yesterday [September 16] endorsed proposals to transfer the "community asset" to the broadcaster.

Station boss Rob Symonds, 50, said: “We are growing quite substantially and it's exceeding the site we have in Pontypool.

“We have been looking for a little while. It will allow us to continue expanding.

“We have two charity partners who will probably take space in the building.

“Straight away we will double the amount of space we have, which will be great.

“We will be looking at making space available for community use.

“There is a lack of community facilities round there. We will organise a community consultation exercise.

“We work with people with a variety of conditions. It’s all about giving people new life skills.

“It’s not just about radio broadcasts. It’s a small part.”

Several Cabinet members spoke in favour of the transfer and the meeting was told it had a “tremendous amount of support in the community”.

The council estimates the site would be worth around £300,000 if sold to a property developer.

But the local authority was minded to approve the transfer as it could allow repairs to be carried out at the school and create an asset for the community.

Council chiefs will now examine the possibility of giving the radio station a lease for up to 30 years for a nominal rent as part of the asset transfer.