Extra £1.35m approved, contractor appointed for new Welshpool school

Powys County Council has approved an extra £1.35 million and named the contractor they want to build Welshpool’s new Welsh-medium primary school.

Beset by problems since it was first proposed four years ago, last week we reported how the budget to build Ysgol Gymraeg Y Trallwng on the former Maesydre site had sky-rocketed to more than £9 million.

But it looks like full steam ahead after the cabinet rubber stamped the extra cash for its part of the deal with the project being split 50/50 with the Welsh Government, who are expected to do the same. Work could start as early as next month.

And there was a double boost for the project with Wynne Construction Ltd awarded the contract to build the new 150-place primary school.

The Denbighshire-based company will be required to provide substantial opportunities for local contractors as well as deliver additional community benefits during the scheme’s construction.

Meet the Buyer events will be arranged shortly so that local contractors and suppliers have the opportunity to meet Wynne Construction as part of the scheme.

Due to the building being listed following a late intervention by former pupils, planners were forced to incorporate the old building into the new project, pushing up the costs considerably.

The old Grade II listed building will be refurbished to accommodate early years and community facilities and a new extension will be built to include a new school hall and classroom bases. The building will also be the first Passivhaus hybrid project in the UK.

Cllr Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Education and Property, said: “It’s great that this project has moved a step closer after experiencing some setbacks that were completely beyond the control of the council.

“Our exciting plans for Ysgol Gymraeg y Trallwng will provide our learners with 21st Century facilities while preserving and modernising a Grade II listed building for the community of Welshpool to use.

“We have a strategy to transform education in Powys and the Ysgol Gymraeg Y Trallwng new build shows our commitment to deliver this important strategy. When complete, it will provide a learning environment that will allow learners and teaching staff to thrive and reach their potential through the medium of Welsh.”

Chris Wynne, Managing Director of Wynne Construction said: “We aim to deliver lasting socio-economic and community benefits for the project, including local employment, training and development opportunities.”