Final decision on school closure plans in Tywyn area to be taken by councillors - North Wales News - News - Daily Post North Wales

Final decision on school closure plans in Tywyn area to be taken by councillors

Dec 15 2010 by Dan Beavan, Daily Post

WELSH Assembly funding to build a new school in Gwynedd will be delayed by 12 months councillors heard yesterday.

Four schools, at Abergynolwyn, Bryncrug Llanegryn and Llwyngwril, all near Tywyn, would be closed by August 2013 and be replaced by a new £5.5m school at Llanegryn for 70 pupils.

But Gwynedd Council board members heard while the 70% grant funding from the Assembly was secure it will be delayed by 12 months.

Strategic director Iwan Trefor Jones said the delay should not prevent the school opening in September 2013.

Outlining the proposals Mr Jones said all interested parties had been consulted extensively since the Council agreed to look at re-organising schools in April last year.

But Cllr Arwel Pierce, who represents Bryncrug on Gwynedd Council, said there was considerable opposition to the plans in the area.

“A petition will be presented tomorrow objecting to the closure of Bryncrug school and building the new school at Llanegryn.

“Villagers believe Bryncrug is the more convenient location for this new school and closing the school would mean a valuable community asset would be lost.”

Llais Gwynedd councillor Alwyn Gruffydd said he opposed the plans completely.

“The council have not listened to what the local people have said at all,” he said.

Cllr Dewi Owen of Aberdyfi, urged the committee to adopt his suggestion that Ysgol Aberdyfi closes in 2013 rather than next year.

“Work needs to be done to upgrade Ysgol Penbryn, Tywyn and to move the pupils in next year would cause disruption,” he said.

A final decision will be taken by the full council tomorrow.

via dailypost.co.uk