New school design to be revealed

Welshpool residents are being invited to comment on proposed designs for the new Welsh-medium primary school on the former Maesydre site in the town.

Design information about the ambitious project for Ysgol Gymraeg y Trallwng will be published from Monday for five weeks as part of the pre-application planning process.

Members of the public will be invited to comment on the plans before a full planning application is submitted to Powys County Council in the New Year.

The school has been hit by controversy with a group of former pupils putting in a successful eleventh hour application to have it listed, resulting in a costly rethink for designers and causing a delay. But with a new budget approved, it is all systems go.

Cabinet Member for Learning and Welsh Language, Councillor Myfanwy Alexander, said: “This is another significant milestone in this significant project which underlies the Council's commitment to giving families throughout Powys the opportunity to benefit from Welsh-medium education. These exciting designs combine 21st Century learning spaces with respect for local heritage.”

Last month dozens of visitors took the chance to meet contractors Dawnus, architects Architype, Powys County Council and Heart of Wales Property Services staff to take a first look at designs for the new school. 

The plans showcase an innovative and unique project for the town, with a modern school being developed alongside the historical building.

If approved, the new school will be the county’s first hybrid building with brand new Passivhous architecture meeting a historically listed-building. It will comprise modern classroom designs, an administrative area and early years’ provision.

The new school, which will accommodate 150 pupils, is expected to be open in September 2020.