Fight to keep Orme school for Llandudno community use

Jun 4 2009 by Judith Phillips, North Wales Weekly News

A FORMER school is to become an educational resource centre – but councillors are worried it could eventually be demolished to make way for housing.

They are anxious to see at least part of it retained as a community resource.

Ysgol y Wyddfid primary school on Llandudno’s Great Orme closed last July because of falling pupil numbers and has been empty ever since.

Conwy County Council’s education department now proposes to transfer an additional learning needs centre for secondary school pupils there from Conwy.

Town councillors Greg Robbins and Mark Jones welcomed the move, but have expressed concern about the long term future of the building because they are keen to see at least one room made available for community use.

“We were pleased to see the proposal to use the site as part of the Pupil Referral Unit,” said Cllr Jones.

“Over the last few months residents have expressed concern about the prospect of the building being left empty for a long period so its possible use for specialist education will no doubt be welcomed by the majority of residents.

“However, under the draft Local Development Plan (LDP) the Ysgol y Wyddfid site is designated for housing.

“In our response we will be asking for mixed community and housing use with the intention to develop a community room which could be hired by residents.”

For this reason the councillors are anxious to know if the education unit plan is temporary or long term.

“If it is intended to be a permanent move then will the education department register an objection to the site being designated for housing?” said Cllr Robbins.

"Under the LDP process people objecting to the use of a site for housing have to name another site to replace the one they are objecting to.

“Is the education department objecting to the school site for housing, or is this just a temporary measure until a developer comes along?

“Either way we think local people should be fully informed of what is proposed for the long term.”

The councillors have distributed a questionnaire to residents asking for their views on the future use of the Wyddfid site.

“People have until June 12 to comment on the LDP and we believe it is vital that anyone with strong views on the subject should make them known,” added Cllr Robbins.

But Conwy County Council says Ysgol y Wyddfid isn’t included in the draft LDP, although it is included on a separate list of potential development sites.

“The education service has written to residents to keep them up to date with ideas for the Ysgol Wyddfid site, and to invite anyone with any questions or concerns to get in touch.

“A report will need to be submitted to cabinet if the education service decides to go forward with the proposal and move the Cadnant Education Centre from Conwy to the Ysgol Y Wyddfid site,” said a council spokeswoman.