Cash to develop empty sites

Welsh Government cash will be used to free up development land by clearing the site of a former primary school, library and land on Llangefni’s industrial estate.
On Monday, Anglesey Council’s Executive rubber stamped a report confirming that £491,330 will be made available to demolish Holyhead’s former library and Ysgol y Parc primary school.
The project also involves opening up land behind the Llangefni’s former Peboc factory, including necessary infrastructure such as roads, street-lighting, and drainage.
The report notes: “This land would then be available to be redeveloped either utilising remaining EU funds or sold to the private sector, generating capital receipts for the county council as well as wider job opportunities and growth.”
Meanwhile, planning permission has already been lodged to demolish both Ysgol y Parc and Holyhead library, which is now empty since the facility was moved to the newly revamped Market Hall.
Ysgol y Parc, meanwhile, was shut along with Ysgol Llaingoch and Ysgol y Parch Thomas Ellis in 2017 to make way for the new Ysgol Cybi “super school.”
Demolishing all the sites, say the council, would increase their capital value.
Dylan Williams, the deputy chief executive, told the meeting in Llangefni: “We always welcome additional funding and always endeavour to make the most of it, and hope that the work will lead to attracting private sector projects or further grand aid.
“There are many projects we would have wished to carry on with but with the time-scale meaning we had to spend this by the end of the financial year, our options were limited.”
Cllr Robin Williams added: “I also welcome this funding but implementing such a short time-scale and having to spend this by March is a nonsense.
“Cardiff has to understand that having such projects straight off the shelf like this isn’t always feasible, and I’d like to thank the economic development department for their work.”

By Gareth Williams – Local Democracy Reporter