Scaled back primary school plans approved for Llangefni

Scaled back proposals for a multi million pound primary school have been approved in Anglesey’s county town.

The authority’s Planning Committee unanimously backed amended plans for the new primary school at Bryn Meurig, Llangefni, when they met on Wednesday.

Originally approved in 2019, the field on the junction of Cildwrn Road and the B4422 had been earmarked for the new primary a stone’s throw from the existing Ysgol Corn Hir site.

But after a decision was made in December to keep the 69 pupil Ysgol Bodffordd open – which was set to be amalgamated with Ysgol Corn Hir – Anglesey Council decided to scale back the plans in light of the reduced capacity.

As a result, members were told that two classrooms have now been taken out of the plans, with the school set to hold 279 pupils rather than the original 360.

Expected to cost between £9-10m with the Welsh Government expected to fund approximately half via its 21st Century Schools ‘Band A’ programme, the sale of the current Ysgol Corn Hir is expected to bring in around £160,000.

There have long been calls to replace the over capacity and “not fit for purpose” building currently housing Ysgol Corn Hir.

“Since the capacity of the new school will be less than originally envisaged, the application proposes to remove two classrooms form the western part of the school,” noted the planning officers’ report.

“The area in which the classrooms were situated will be replaced by a hard surfaced area which could be used as a playing area. The proposal also entails changing the external cladding.

“Although the type of cladding will be changed from Trespa to Rockpanel, the type of colour will remain the same.

“It is not anticipated that the proposed amendments will be great enough to cause an impact different to that caused by the original approved scheme.
“It is not considered that the impact would result in a detrimental impact either visually or in term or local amenity.”
The plans were approved unanimously.

By Gareth Williams – Local Democracy Reporter