POWERS to approve plans for a new £6.6m A-level centre at Pembrokeshire College were handed to a county planning boss yesterday on Tuesday, April 19.

At the April meeting of the county council’s planning and rights of way committee, it was recommended to grant the council's head of planning power to let the scheme go ahead once the consultation period has ended, provided no new issues arise.

No objections were received to the application.

Members of the committee agreed to support the recommendation.

The A-level centre will be built at the college’s campus in Merlins Bridge and feature additional teaching facilities, sports hall and fitness suite.

A 2-storey building is proposed, with a central two-and-a-half storey section. Access to the new extension would primarily be from the existing building, with a central courtyard linking the buildings.

Current A-level college students would be accommodated at the facility, along with Ysgol Bro Gwaun and Ysgol Dewi Sant pupils.

There is also the prospect of A-level students from a joint secondary school in Haverfordwest joining in the future.

The consultation period ends on April 27 and the application will be granted consent by the head of planning after that date, unless any new issues of substance arise.