Opponents 'resigned' to Welsh school in Gwersyllt

Outline plans for a new Welsh school were given the go ahead in principle earlier this month

Residents opposing plans for a new primary school near their homes in Wrexham say they are "resigned" to the development.

The news comes as Wrexham councillors agreed to give their approval to the start of a consultation process.

Plans for a £5.9m Welsh-medium school in Gwersyllt were given the go-ahead in principle last month.

Wrexham council said the location was earmarked as there is a high demand for Welsh medium education in the area.

One of the opponents, David Jones said: "To be honest people are resigned to the fact that it's going to be built."

He said it was hoped any consultation process would allow them to have some "input" as parking was a "big concern".

Overcrowding

Councillors attending Tuesday's executive board meeting were asked to approve a consultation exercise regarding the proposed development.

At the meeting they agreed on consulting parents of children interested in Welsh medium education, local playgroups, governors and staff of schools in the local area, elected members, residents in the local area, Diocesan authorities, Flintshire CC and the Welsh language board.

A spokesperson for authority explained that the formal consultation being recommended would, in theory, be held before a statutory consultation.

If there were still objections after that stage then the plans would be referred to the assembly government for approval.

The council has said previously that the location was selected as pupils in temporary accommodation at a neighbouring school live in the area.

A full planning application still needs approval, and the green light from the assembly government.

Playing fields

The local authority announced last summer it wanted to build a new Welsh-medium primary to ease overcrowding.

Among the five Welsh-medium infant and junior schools in Wrexham county is Ysgol Plas Coch which has been over-subscribed for a number of years.

The planned new school would consist of 210 places to alleviate the pressure on Plas Coch and the others.

But opponents say another area should be earmarked for the school rather than Gwersyllt Park playing fields.

They cite a loss of green space if the school is given the go ahead even though the site borders Alyn Waters Country Park.

Wrexham council is to fund £1.7m, or 30%, towards the costs, with the main source of funding coming from the assembly government which has already been agreed in principle.