A FORMER school in Blaenavon is facing demolition following ongoing incidents of break-ins and damage being caused.

Torfaen council has spent nearly £39,000 on security costs since St Peter's Primary School, in Park Street, closed in 2012.

The school, which was replaced by Blaenavon Heritage VC Primary School, is designated for residential development in the Local Development Plan but there yet to be any interest in the site.

The county borough council is now proposing to demolish the buildings and fence the site off until a future use can be found.

Leader of the council, Cllr Anthony Hunt, could approve funding of £100,000 to carry out the demolition as an executive member decision next week.

A council report prepared ahead of the decision says: "From the time that St Peter’s School closed in 2012 until 31 March 2018, a total of £38,900 has been spent on security costs.

"The breakdown of this amount was £10,300 from reserves and £28,600 claimed from the council’s insurers.

"The insurance amount indicates the extent of remedial works as a consequence of break-ins and wilful damage.

"Apart from the financial costs, concerns have been expressed by residents and the police about the extent to which individuals trying to access the site and buildings are endangering themselves."

The site was considered for affordable housing but there is currently not currently thought to be a requirement for this in Blaenavon.

And as of yet, it has proved difficult to find a use for the site.

"Development costs are particularly high in Blaenavon due to the planning requirement for the town as a World Heritage Site," the report adds.

"Conversely, Blaenavon is a town with the low house prices.

"As such it is difficult to formulate a viable development."

Demolition of the building is intended to "curtail the ongoing expenditure" and secure the site until a long-term alternative use can be found.

The council report adds that it could "pave the way for the beneficial community use of the brownfield site in due course."

The cleared site after demolition should also be a "safer more pleasant environment for neighbouring residents," it is said.

Concrete and bricks from the building may be stockpiled for future development under the plans.