PRESSURE group CASH has come a step closer to achieving its aim of saving Abergavenny's historic Hill college and has submitted an Expression of Interest in buying the site to its current owner, Coleg Gwent.

Community Action to Save The Hill (CASH has, with the backing of Monmouthshire County Council, submitted an Expression of Interest in buying The Hill, a 50 bedroom mansion and conference centre, to maintain it as a community resource for education, to benefit the people of Abergavenny.

The building was for most of its life in private hands but was taken over by the local authority and turned into a residential education centre in 1964, with a covenant agreement - since overturned - that it should remain in educational use.

It eventually became part of Coleg Gwent but was closed in 2009, as part of its £3.5 million savings in response to funding cuts from the government.

In response to the closure, residents set up CASH, in the hope of seeing the restoration of education at the site.

In 2012, a bid was refused from CASH as its plans for a resumption of adult education courses in the building was deemed too far below the bids from two other preferred partners, which have since fallen through.

Now the group has submitted further interest in buying the site, with a higher offer.

The group says it now has the financial backing of two Abergavenny businesspeople, and believes that The Hill has the potential to be a national centre of excellence offering life-long learning, training and employment opportunities.

A spokesperson said, "There are training and enterprise links to be exploited with local food, horticultural and agricultural interests. Through training, employment and the attraction of visitors The Hill could make a significant contribution to Abergavenny's economy."

The group expects that commercial organisations will be expressing an interest in buying The Hill, but its aim is not only to save The Hill but to use it for the good of Abergavenny.

Those who wish to support CASH's vision can contact it through [email protected]">[email protected]