Neuadd Maldwyn set to become care facility

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter

The building at the centre of a row that will lead to the downsizing of Welshpool library is likely to become a care facility.

Neuadd Maldwyn (pictured) is the main Powys County Council office in Welshpool and is due to close with staff scattered to other offices, including the current library building.

And now it has been revealed by Council Leader, Cllr Rosemarie Harris, that it is expected that the sprawling building, which is listed, will become a care facility.

Last month rumours were going around the town that the Edwardian building had been sold for just £375,000 but PCC said that was not the case.

Cllr Harris said: “We are developing extra care in the Welshpool area working with a partner and looking at Neuadd Maldwyn.”

In Welshpool there have been protest marches and a campaign to save the library, which is set to be downsized and moved in with Powysland Museum.

The building on Brook Street will become offices to accommodate some of the staff being moved from Neuadd Maldwyn. The perception in the town is that Neuadd Maldwyn is being sold off – purely so that PCC can save money.

In December 2018, in a secret session of the cabinet, PCC took the decision to close Neuadd Maldwyn following a review of property in the north of the county. In February the authority had to clarify that the building had not been sold yet.

At that time, cabinet member for Highways, Recycling and Assets, Cllr Phyl Davies, said: “Discussions on the future of Neuadd Maldwyn once the council vacates the building are still ongoing. However, we have not reached any agreement to sell the building and it remains our asset.”

Cllr Davies added that PCC was waiting for an independent valuation to come back.

Neuadd Maldwyn dates back to 1927 when it was built for the former Montgomeryshire County Council, extensions were added in the 1930s and 1950s.