The VALE council cabinet has agreed to spend £200,000 removing asbestos from three former Penarth schools.

The former St Cyres School, Ysgol Erw’r Delyn and Ashgrove School’s are all set to be demolished as part of the £48million Penarth Learning Community project.

Pupils from the schools recently moved to a new St Cyres School and Ysgol y Deri special school as part of the Penarth Learning Community project.

A report before cabinet members earlier this week said: “Further work has now been undertaken to define the scope and costs of demolition and asbestos removal of the three remaining school buildings. Leadbitter have tendered this package and this has resulted in additional costs associated with the asbestos removal.”

It added: “The Penarth Learning Community budget is increased by £200k to fund the additional costs of asbestos removal for the three remaining school buildings. This increase will be funded by a contribution in 2014/15 from the Policy revenue budget.”

Phase 1 of Penarth Learning Community, which included the creation of two new schools, was completed on programme on October 6, 2014 after 104 weeks on site. Phase 2, which includes the demolition of the three remaining schools and creation of a range of sports facilities, will now commence with completion on October 6, 2015.

The report, which was presented to cabinet members on Monday (November 17), said: “Penarth Learning Community will also be available for use by the community, with the provision of modern sports facilities including a 3G pitch, as well as hydrotherapy pools, physiotherapy suites, and other specialist areas.”