Compromise means new school will go ahead as planned

Sports clubs in Welshpool will have access to outdoor facilities that will be built as part of a new Welsh-medium primary school, it has been announced.

Powys County Council is building a new 150-place school with community facilities for Ysgol Gymraeg Y Trallwng in Welshpool, a school that was established in 2017 following a re-organisation process. 

The innovative scheme for the new school combines the old and the new which will provide the pupils of Ysgol Gymraeg y Trallwng and the community of Welshpool with fantastic facilities whilst maintaining the presence of the iconic Ysgol Maesydre.

Last week, county council representatives met with members of Welshpool Town Council as well as Cllr Phil Pritchard, county councillor for Welshpool Castle Ward, at the school site to discuss the planned development.

Following those meetings, an agreement has been reached that will allow Welshpool’s sports clubs and the community access to the sports pitch and multi-use games area that are being installed as part of the new development. The new school will also have a community hall, which will be available for use by the wider community.

Community access to both the outdoor facilities and community hall will be outside of school hours.

As part of the community benefits package for the new school, the county council will provide facilities for a skatepark close to the school, as well as providing a new fence at Welshpool Football Club. 

As part of the development, a security fence around the school’s green area will be fully planted to provide another level of security for the learners that will attend the new school building.

The new school, which will help the council deliver its Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys, is being funded jointly by the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools Programme and the council.

It is also part of the council’s Transformation Programme to deliver aspirations in Vision 2025. One of the aspirations is to provide high quality teaching and learning environments.

Cllr Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Education and Property, said: “This is an exciting project and, when complete, will provide the learners and staff of Ysgol Gymraeg y Trallwng with 21st Century facilities while preserving and modernising Grade II listed building for the community of Welshpool to use.

“The new building for Ysgol Gymraeg Y Trallwng will not only provide an environment where our learners and teachers thrive but now the wider community of Welshpool will also benefit by accessing the school’s new facilities.”

Cllr Phil Pritchard, county councillor for Welshpool Castle Ward, said: “Whilst this has been a long-running discussion, I’m delighted to have been able to reach this agreement on behalf of the children of Welshpool.

“I’m very grateful of the support I have received from Welshpool Town councillors Hazel Evans, Estelle Bleivas, Chris Davies, and Michael Davies.  Together with county councillor Graham Breeze, without their constant help, it would not have been possible to achieve this wonderful opportunity for all the children of Welshpool, both currently and for many years to come.

“I must also offer my very sincere thanks to the officers of Powys County Council who were involved in these discussions, without their genuine efforts and understanding, these arrangements would not have been possible.”