CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new ‘super school’ in Hakin have been unanimously approved.

The proposal to build a primary school on land off Gelliswick Road to merge Hakin Community and Hubberston VC school were given the go-ahead by councillors today (Tuesday).

The application seeks full planning permission for the construction of a primary school for approximately 480 pupils aged four to 11.

The new school would have an Early Years unit catering for around 60 pupils, a Complex Needs unit, suitable for around 24 three to 11-year-olds, and a Flying Start facility.

It will also have a full size all-weather pitch (3G) and multi use games area (MUGA), and be fitted with solar panels and combined heat and power (CHP) facilities.

An amendment was made that the 3G pitch should not become operational until a management plan is submitted and approved.

Sport Wales, the national organisation responsible for increasing participation and improving performance in sport in Wales, had raised concern that the playing field provision fell 'slightly below' what was necessary, and that informal public access would be affected as a result.

A spokesman for Sport Wales said the organisation supported the application because the new floodlit 3G pitch would improve the facilities available, but added that this support was conditional on existing training activities continuing to take place.