A community group in the Amman Valley is awaiting the outcome of a £100,000 grant bid which will help kick-start major refurbishment plans for a former school.

The Y Banwen Association wants to turn the old Ysgol y Glyn – now called Y Banwen – in School Road,  Lower Brynamman, into a centre for the community.

Plans involve a youth centre, community centre, a cafe and workshops for charities as well as a soft play area, a community garden and an electric bike hire business.

Neath Port Talbot County Borough Councillor Sonia Reynolds who is a member of the Y Banwen Association as well as a trustee of the Tairgwaith community organisation Canolfan Maerdy said: “The full refurbishment would cost around £1.3 million.

“If we are successful obtaining the £100,000 European Rural Development Fund grant, we will then secure a £30,000 match-funding grant from the community council.

“This will enable us to make repairs to the outside of the buildings.

“There’s a huge opportunity with Y Banwen.”

Ward county councillor Arwyn Woolcock said: “It’s the only village out of the four in Gwaun Cae Gurwen that doesn’t have its own community hall so a facility for the community would be extremely beneficial for the residents of Lower Brynamman.

“We are keen to see it offer some form of education service as well such as IT courses for example but without replicating anything which is currently being offered in the area.

“It would also be the ideal venue for a Post Office.”

The site is already being used by the community with a cabin having recently been refurbished.

Men’s Sheds Cymru and a local Brownies group use the cabin and the Amman Valley Railway Society is also hoping to be based there soon.

The school which opened in 1896 closed in 2011.

It was later bought by Gwaun Cae Gurwen Community Council for £125,000.

The council now leases the site to Y Banwen Association at a peppercorn rent.