CONTROVERSIAL plans for an opencast mine in Varteg will threaten “the viability” of a Torfaen school if they go ahead, according to the head teacher.

As we have previously reported, Glamorgan Power is seeking planning permission to mine 350,000 tonnes of coal on Varteg Hill.

Ysgol Bryn Onnen, Varteg’s Welsh medium primary school is about 120m from the proposed site and head teacher Ryan Parry has spoken out for the first time about the proposals, which he says have left the future of the school in limbo.

He said a lot of parents are holding back their decision on whether or not to send their children to the school until after a decision on the open cast plans is made.

His fears are being echoed by Pontypool Community Council, which as well as objecting to the plan, has also questioned the viability of the school if the mine is given the go-ahead.

“The viability of the school in terms of numbers and in terms of budgeting is under question,” said Mr Parry.

Assembly advisory planning guidelines state open-cast mining should not take place within 500m of settlements, and the plans are the focus of angry local protest The school was established 15 years ago with a roll of just 90 children but it now has over 250 pupils and opens a new nursery in September.

Mr Parry added: “There is the possibility of us not being able to fill a brand new nursery if the open cast plans go ahead.

“The nursery has spaces for 30 children altogether and we have about 18 spaces filled but we will be full if the open cast doesn’t go ahead. The parents are playing a waiting game.

“It’s not the effect now or in a year, but in three or four years in terms of numbers coming in and the staffing levels.

“But after the decision in June it still gives us a month to allow parents to make a decision.”

Former governor of the school and member of the No To the Varteg Opencast campaign Rev Priscilla Pearson said: “Probably about half a dozen parents who were due to come to us have withdrawn their applications because of the opencast plans – but those are only the ones we’ve got to know about.

“We’re picking up that if it were to happen then parents would immediately take their children away.

“But it’s a complete unknown and we’re fighting it to the best of our abilities.

“I think our greatest concern now is the impact it could have on the school and the potential for Welsh medium learning in North Torfaen.”

The Council is expected to make a decision on the planning application at a full Council meeting on Tuesday, June 29.