A NEW 'super college' for Torfaen which will replace sixth forms in several schools has been given the green light by the council's planning committee.

The sixth form centre costing an estimated £24.6million will be run by Coleg Gwent and is on schedule to open in September 2020.

Councillors on Torfaen's planning committee unanimously voted to grant permission for the sixth form at a meeting on Tuesday, subject to the Welsh Government confirming that they do not intend to 'call-in' the application.

The sixth form will be situated on the Grange Road site in Cwmbran and is expected to be home to around 1,340 staff and pupils, replacing sixth forms at Cwmbran High, St Albans RC High and Croesyceiliog School.

At the planning committee meeting, Cllr Ron Burnett (Independent, Two Locks and Henllys ward) said his main worry about the site was traffic.

But group leader for transport and highways development Paul Wheeldon said he was not "overly concerned."

"You are always going to get peak traffic," he said.

Mr Wheeldon also said that the site is close to bus and rail routes, and that there is car parking nearby.

Cllr Steven Evans (Labour, Upper Cwmbran) asked whether any measures have been taken to stop any potential anti-social behaviour at the site.

But Rebecca McAndrew, principal planning officer, said the planned site would be mixed use with cafes, restaurants and a hotel which would limit the potential for anti-social behaviour.

Full planning consent was granted for the sixth form and outline consent for an office block, hotel and unit which sells food and drink.

A total of 122 car parking spaces have been allocated for the sixth form and 95 for the hotel and food and drink unit.

The meeting heard the site is in a flood zone designated at high risk of flooding but that planning conditions have been met to make it acceptable.

Ms McAndrew said the majority of the site will likely be moved out of the high risk flood zone when maps are updated in October.

However due to it currently being in the flood zone the application has to be sent to the Welsh Government which will have the option of calling it in.