COMMUNITY groups determined to keep the Hill educational centre open as a local resource are seeking alternative funding to secure the site from housing development.

The Partnership At The Hill community group has submitted an £800,000 bid to the Big Lottery as part of the Community Asset Transfer programme.

Run by the Welsh Assembly Government, the programme encourages public sector assets like The former Coleg Gwent campus at the Hill to transfer into ownership of the local community, which can then be run  for the benefit of the people of Abergavenny.

PATH chairman Dr Nicola Perkins said: "This application is part of a larger funding package which involves ethical venture funders like The Big Society Bank opening in April, and private sector funders who want to continue the tradition of education provision at The Hill.

"We are putting together a consortium bid for this magnificent facility and ask all those keen in finding a home for their organisation at The Hill to contact our organisation as soon as possible".

The Primo Balleto Ballet School had hoped to move into the complex, but negotiations between the school's director Dr Olinga Ta'eed and Coleg Gwent broke down over the valuation of the site.

However, the group behind the Community Action to Save the Hill have already opened a dialogue with Coleg Gwent's principal Dr Jim Bennett, who has assured them that the board of trustees of Coleg Gwent understand that best value for The Hill should now include social and educational gain.

David Haswell, chairman of Abergavenny Development Forum said: "The need for a realistic valuation is a point accepted by the college at the recent meeting with CASH representatives.

"At least 40 percent of any evaluation should be credited to the proposed ballet school and other planned educational and community activities for the benefit of Abergavenny and beyond."

Abergavenny Town Council is very supportive of CASH's campaign to retain educational facilities at The Hill and is keen to see a positive outcome for the Hill.

CASH, the community pressure group intends to continue vigorous campaigning to ensure that the Hill site does not succumb to housing development.

Meanwhile Dr Ta'eed has been granted permission by Coleg Gwent to visit the site with private investors from London to purchase the site as a residential ballet school in which Dr Ta'eed's vision is for the Hill to be a profitable ballet school providing a platform for other educational and community activities at the complex.