Plans for a new 360 pupil primary school have been given the green light by planning chiefs, which could see work start as early as the spring.

Last April, Anglesey’s Executive rubber-stamped a decision to close Ysgol Bodffordd and Ysgol Corn Hir, to be replaced with a brand new facility at Bryn Meurig, Llangefni.

Governors at Ysgol Corn Hir had broadly backed a new school due to it already being oversubscribed, with concerns also being raised over the condition of the building.

But the community of Bodffordd battled hard to keep its village school open which, with over 80 pupils and close to capacity, also houses the community centre.

But this afternoon, a major hurdle was crossed after the authority’s planning committee approved the new multi million pound school which is set to have enough spaces for 360 pupils as well as another 90 nursery places.

The site of the school will be a currently empty field near the junction of Cildwrn Road B5109 & B4422, not far from the existing Ysgol Corn Hir site.

Approval was given despite some reservations from Llangefni Town Council regarding a lack of 20 mph traffic calming measures.

Cllr Bryan Owen also noted that due to its proximity to Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni and Canolfan Addysg y Bont, the roads could be “extremely busy” at the start and end of the school day.

But according to highways officers, an independent survey did not suggest any major problems.

“Concerns raised by both the public and the local community council’s around an increase invehicular movements, numbers and road safety are satisfied by the Highways response and the proposed conditions recommended,” noted the planning officers’ report.

“This is supported through the findings and implementation of the traffic calming and other mitigation measures outlined within the Traffic Impact Assessment to ensure the scheme will not have an adverse effect on the existing transport network.”

As a result of planning approval, construction could start as early as May, taking over a year to complete, with Bodelwyddan-based Wynne Construction having been awarded the contract.

Officers had recommended approval for the application, submitted by the authority’s own education department,