TORFAEN’S new sixth form centre will cost more to build after a funding gap of £4.68 million was found during development.

A council report reveals that issues on the Cwmbran site led to an estimated build cost of £28.4 million – more than the £20 million outlay agreed last May.

Since November the council, which is delivering the scheme alongside the Welsh Government and Coleg Gwent, have worked to reduce costs to £24.6 million.

But the three authorities are now set to pay up to cover the shortfall, bringing total costs of the 21st Century Schools project in Torfaen up from £86 million to £90.7 million.

Torfaen council’s cabinet will meet on July 10 to discuss the release of £1.34 million from general reserves for their contribution.

The final decision to release the funds will be considered at the next full council meeting, according to the report.

Under the revised funding proposals, the Welsh Government is expected to provide a further £2.34 million.

Coleg Gwent has been asked to pick up the estimated £1 million bill for furniture and equipment at the new centre.

The report says: “Agreement on the additional contributions will be required from all three parties for the project to proceed as currently planned.

“Welsh Government is expected to reply to the request in early July, and Coleg Gwent has already indicated its acceptance of the revised proposal.”

If the funding plan is approved, Torfaen council will be able to award the £22 million construction contract following a lengthy tendering process.

Work on a new entrance into the site off St David’s Road is also due to start having been approved by the council’s planning committee in April.

The planning application for the centre, which will replace sixth forms Cwmbran High, St Albans RC High and Croesyceiliog School, will go before members on July 24.

The 1,000-place sixth form centre is expected to open in September 2020.

Plans for the four-storey building include two atriums, performance and social spaces, classrooms with moveable walls and an open roof garden.