Planning permission for new school building granted

4 November 2024

Exciting plans to build a new replacement building for an all-through school in Machynlleth have reached an important milestone after planning permission was granted, Powys County Council has announced.

This will enable the council to move forward with its plans to build a new 540-place school for Ysgol Bro Hyddgen as part of its Transforming Education programme.

The council's Planning, Taxi Licensing & Rights of Way Committee approved the planning application last week (Thursday, October 31).

The approval marks a key milestone in the project and will help the council meet its commitments in its Welsh in Education Strategic Plan and the aims of the Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys.

The new school will be built at Ysgol Bro Hyddgen's secondary site to replace the current primary and secondary buildings.

The new build will be funded by the Welsh Government's Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, which will fund 65% of the project. The remaining 35% would be funded by the council.

When built, the replacement building will provide, flying start and early years facilities incorporated within primary school setting, secondary provision with post-16 education. Additionally incorporated are an additional learning needs centre, wellbeing provision as well as community room and all-weather pitch.

The building will have excellent environmental credentials and will be the council's first Passivhaus All-through School building, achieving Net Zero Carbon in Operation and <600kg/CO2m2 for embodied carbon.

The new school is expected to be open to pupils in 2028.

Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: "I'm delighted that the planning application for the new building for Ysgol Bro Hyddgen has been approved.

"The new building will provide modern facilities for our pupils and teaching staff and help them to deliver an enjoyable and fulfilling education experience for everyone.

"This is an important strategic project for the council as it will help us deliver our commitments in the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan and increase the number of pupils being taught through the medium of Welsh. It will also help us meet the aims of our Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys."

To read the updated Strategy for Transforming Education 2020-2032 and details of the Transforming Education Programme - Wave 2 (2022 - 2027) visit Transforming Education

To find out more about Welsh-medium education in Powys, visit Welsh-medium education.