WELSH language campaigners have been told that a Welsh medium secondary school could be built Newtown by in five to six years time.

At the full council meeting, education portfolio holder, Cllr Myfanwy Alexander responded to a question from Buddug Bates of pressure group Gwir Dwyieithrwydd (True Bilingualism).

Mrs Bates, asked if Cllr Alexander could confirm when it was likely that a North Powys category 2a high school  is likely to open?

According to the Welsh Government a category 2a High School means; a Welsh Medium school.

Cllr Alexander, pointed to details that had been supplied in a written answer to the question and added: "We are talking about building, but it'spossible to start providing Welsh Medium education before then.

"So we are forging ahead with a huge project in Newtown and a 2a is a fundamental part of this."

Mrs Bates added: "Powys has done superb work on providing Welsh language education in the primary school sector. But this success does not carry on in the secondary sector.

"What exactly are you considering, so that we can stop the flow of pupils who are turning their backs on the advantages of a bilingual education from the age of 11 onwards?"

Cllr Alexander said: "We intend to create a Welsh medium school and we are now discussing with Ysgol Dafydd Llwyd in Newtown if there is a possibility of providing this before a new build.

"There could be potential issues that affect the timing, it is a complicated issue.

"But I can say hand on heart that we will try and get this done as soon as possible."

The written answer provided for Mrs Bates' question says that considerable investment is due to take place in schools in the Newtown area:

This includes replacement buildings for Ysgol Cedewain and Brynllywarch Hall School, investment in the town’s primary schools and the development of secondary medium provision.

The work in Newtown is at an early feasibility stage and once this has been completed, it will be possible to work out a more detailed timeline for the planned Welsh-medium secondary provision.

The current time-scale is: 2018/19 – Initial feasibility work – Cabinet approval to proceed with any land purchase, statutory process.

2019.20 – Statutory process, develop initial business cases

2020-21 – Develop detailed designs, appoint contractor

2022 – start of building

Based on  this, it is anticipated that it would be approximately 2023/24 before any new Welsh Medium provision was to open.

The written answer points to establishing "seeding" provision while waiting for building work.

An example used by Cllr Alexander in her written answer is Ysgol Gwent  Is Coed in Newport

This school was established in temporary accommodation in September 2016, before moving to permanent accommodation in 2018.

Cllr Alexander said: "It could be possible to establish new provision sooner.

"It is hoped that further clarity can be provided over the coming months." ENDS

Pic - Ysgol Dafydd Llwyd in Newtown - Cllr Myfanwy Alexander said discussion could take place to start "seeding" secondary school Welsh Medium education in Newtown here before a new school building is built.