PLANS to use a former primary school as a base for a children's services project and a community arts centre have earned the praise of councillors.

Torfaen council's executive approved a new shared use at the Victoria Primary School in Abersychan, which closed last July, at a meeting on Tuesday.

The building will be used an arts centre by Torfaen Arts Resource Centre, alongside a regional children's services project, My Support Team (MyST), which would be run as a collaboration between the five Gwent councils.

Refurbishment of the old school will be required, and the plans would see the arts centre and children's project segregated.

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Council leader, Cllr Anthony Hunt, said the authority had not taken the easy option.

"The easiest and quickest thing to do would have been to sell off the site but we were wary about the history of the site and the feelings of local ward councillors," he said.

Cllr David Yeowell said he was pleased the plans would see the 'iconic' building remain "largely the same."

He said: "We've retained the edifice and more of the building which is good because it's been up for about 120 years.

"It is iconic and I think it will go some way to assuaging some of those who were really concerned and upset about having to stop using it as a school."

The proposed refurbishment of the school would include roof work, electrical rewiring and re-arranging internal space to suit the needs of MyST.

The former canteen buildings could be demolished and replaced with a secure car park for MyST to use under the plans.

A playing field and former school hall would be shared, with each having control over one and allowing the other to use it by arrangement.

Torfaen council has run the children's services project for 14 years, but a larger venue is needed to expand the project into a collaboration with the other four Gwent councils.

Cllr Veronica Crick said she was 'delighted' that the scheme would provide a new base for MyST and a "sustainable future" for the building.

She added: "This is an absolutely excellent example of partnership working across Gwent, ensuring at the same time a much needed child-centred service as well as providing a community facility."

READ MORE: Community flocks to see popular Victoria Village Primary School before it closes its doors.

Further details of the refurbishment will now be prepared, and legal agreements put in place to set out terms of occupation for both parties.

Former Abersychan councillor Wayne Tomlinson said that he was pleased to see the former school site being saved.

He said: “I think from a community aspect it is a good thing that it has been approved.

“They have saved the school and they have also saved the building - which can only be a good thing.

“The school is in the centre of the community and it holds value for a lot of people in the area, as they or their parents or grandparents were taught there.

“When we were campaigning to save the school originally, we always had in the back of our minds what would happen to the building if the school closed.

“A lot of the schools that have closed in the 21st century schools programme have been sold for development, so I’m glad it has been saved.

“I wish it every success for the future.”