School site could be transformed into new medical centre, claims councillor

The site of a former Llandudno Junction school could be transformed into a purpose-built medical centre, a councillor believes.

Ysgol Nant y Coed went up in flames in November 2019 after an arson attack, and the school was subsequently demolished.

But now Cllr Mike Priestley has claimed talks on a medical centre are ongoing between Conwy County Council, who own the site, and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

Ysgol Nant y Coed was one of two Llandudno Junction schools that closed when the new purpose-built Ysgol Awel y Mynydd opened in September 2017.

Cllr Mike Priestley says Llandudno Junction has suffered due to a strain on health care services, caused by the number of new homes built in the area in recent years.

Cllr Priestley said: “Conversations are going on. I’ve spoken to Betsi Cadwaladr, and they’ve said they are looking at a number of sites, one of which is the Ysgol Nant y Coed site, and I just want to put all my support behind the facility there to support the community.
“While we have the opportunity, we can provide something that will be a real benefit to our community. We’ve given so much green fields and so much space for new houses, I think it is about time we had a brownfield site for the community.

“We don’t need more houses. We need services. We need proper modern-day services to facilitate Llandudno Junction and the area.

“I’ve been campaigning since it has closed for a joint venture with Betsi Cadwaladr to provide modern-day medical services. If you look at most of our surgeries in the area, they are either converted houses, residential properties, and one is even a chapel. We’ve got a clinic on Maes Derw that needs a lot of money spent on it. It looks tired, and this is a fantastic opportunity for a new medical facility that could serve the area.“

He added: “I’ve spoken to Betsi Cadwaladr, and they are expressing an interest in that area. They have looked at it (the school site), and it is of interest.

“In the Marl ward alone, we’ve had over 600 houses built, and we need facilities to serve our community.”

Both Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Conwy County Council were contacted for a comment.

By Richard Evans – Local Democracy Reporter