A PETITION has been launched to save a former school building in the Ceiriog Valley.

The Ysgol Pontfadog school building is set to be demolished to make way for affordable housing.

The primary school, which served the area for more than a century, closed its doors for the final time in July 2019 amid dwindling pupil numbers.

Wrexham Council pledged to give the community a say on how the land should be used in the future, with a survey sent to all 323 homes in the community.

The results of the survey were that residents deem that housing would provide the highest benefit to the area, and Wrexham Council says the voice of the community was "loud and clear" in wanting housing.

However, a petition calling for the site to be saved has been launched - and has already gathered over 300 signatures.

A community group wants to preserve the building to turn it in to a forest school and community hub.

The Pontfadog Forest School and Community hub committee claims it has put forward a "robust, viable and sustainable business" plan to keep the school building "firmly within the centre of the community of the Ceiriog Valley".

The petition states: "The grounds can be used for a forest school nursery, the specialist school curriculum sessions, holiday club and children's parties.

"There will also be allotments and an outdoor green space where children can play ball games - there is nowhere at the moment where children can play ball games at present.

"The school building can be used for the old school café and museum, desk rental with internet for young people to study, day care drop in centre for the elderly, a Saturday local produce market and events.

"The local policeman and vicar have both registered an interest for a desk rental and to meet people from the community."

It adds: "We believe this project would be more beneficial for the wider community and local families than to demolish historic building and be replaced by modern housing when we already have six new affordable houses to be completed next month.

"We have already lost this site as our local school so please sign the petition to save the school building and grounds before it is too late."

The petition is available to sign here.