Caldicot school set for approval

Monmouthshire council's planning committee will meet on Tuesday to discuss the construction of a new £34.9 million build secondary school at the existing school site on Mill Lane.

In his report, case officer David Wong said while the main school entrance will stay the same, officers have proposed redirecting all delivery and service vehicles via Woodstock Way to cut the number of heavy goods vehicles using Mill Lane.

The new building will accommodate up to 1,500 students over three storeys, and is due to open in January 2017.

The existing leisure centre and community education centre will be kept and all the buildings on the site which are currently used by the school will be demolished in phases, a report states.

Peter Nurcombe, chairman of governors said the new school will be a benefit to all pupils and the whole community, who he believes are "very much looking forward to it".

"They have a really sense of ownership on the project," he said.

The design and technology block and the additional learning centre will be the first areas to be demolished. They will be re-housed in different parts of the school and temporary accommodation will be kept to a minimum, Mr Nurcombe added.

"Everyone has worked very hard on the outside and inside designs to get it right," he added. "This has received input from staff and pupils as well."

Caldicot Town Council has approved the application and there are no objections from Gwent Archaeological Trust. A 3G artificial turf pitch has also been created at the site and is due to be completed by November.

Cllr John Marshall, member for Green Lane, said this was a "fantastic thing for the community".

"I went to Caldicot school over 30 years ago, it is amazing to think that not much has changed in that time," he said.

"It was in need of major redevelopment and it's great news as part of the whole regeneration of Caldicot with the supermarket and the town team."