PLANS for a new school in the Islwyn West area are “progressing well”, according to the local authority.

In a Caerphilly council cabinet meeting on Wednesday, members were told provisional timescales for the design and construction of the school are in place.

The plans, which have been prepared by the authority’s building consultancy design team and the client department, will be formally agreed with project managers when appointed.

Consultation on the design of the school has taken place while the intention is to have a preliminary design in place by September this year.

Construction on the new school could begin in March 2015, with completion in time for classes to begin in September 2016.

The new secondary school is set to serve Oakdale and Pontllanfraith and it will be located at the Oakdale Plateau 3.

Cllr Rhianon Passmore, cabinet member for education and lifelong learning, said: “This school will provide a much needed, modern learning environment for 900 young people in the Islwyn West area.”