THE redundant Park Street School building can now be used by the local community as a resource centre following the scheme's approval by Monmouthshire County Council.

At last week's council meeting Abergavenny Community Trust were given the go-ahead to form a hub in the former Park Street School building so that they can improve the quality of local people's lives by providing a centre for wellbeing and learning excellence, socialising, child's nursery and community arts.

Councillor Phil Murphy pointed out that despite the building being worth in the region of £300,000 only the car park valued at £100,000 had been put into the projected budget for capital receipts.

He said, "Because we have agreed a lease we are no longer expecting this money into the capital budget. "

Councillor Roger Harris said, "This scheme is particularly brilliant for Abergavenny even though it is at the expense of a large capital asset being deposited into the 21st Century Schools programme.

But now its up to the community to make it work and we as a council need to keep a close check on it to see that it does work. There will be a review at the end of the first year and we'll have to bite the bullet if the scheme doesn't work.

Leader of the council Peter Fox said, "This is an investment into the community. We want it to succeed, as we are a public service charged with doing publically minded things.

"The Park Street School building was originally part of a lot of surplus authority owned buildings put up for auction last year, but it was withdrawn from sale to allow the community to come up with a viable plan. This is an opportunity to invest into the future."

Councillor Val Smith wished the Trust well and added, "I think this is a good proposal for the future of the building and it'll be worth more to the authority in the future than just the financial receipt by selling it.

"If the scheme fails that will be regrettable, but I feel that it will be an exciting project and wish the Trust the very best of luck in their endeavours. "

Councillor Kevin Williams suggested that similar schemes should be "activated and run across the county."