Glyntraian Community Council vote for affordable housing on former Ysgol Pontfadog site

Glyntraian Community Councillors voted by a majority of 7-1 to endorse a recommendation to develop a small number of low-cost starter homes on the former Ysgol Pontfadog site in the village of Pontfadog in the Ceiriog Valley at its Council meeting this week.

The vote followed publication of a feasibility study and options appraisal, after the school shut its doors for the final time in July last year amid dwindling pupil numbers.

At the time the move by Wrexham Council was staunchly opposed by members of the community, but following its closure they decided to focus on how the 110-year-old primary school site should be used in future. Around 230 responses were received as part of a feasibility study conducted jointly by rural development agency Cadwyn Clwyd and Glyntraian Community Council, they included suggestions to turn it into a forest school, community hub or wedding venue.

The consultants report, by independent community engagement consultant Marc Roberts of Cynlas Cyf, concluded that affordable housing for young families, firmly tied into a local lettings policy and with a community benefit embedded into any development agreement, would best serve the wider interests of the Glyntraian community.

A postal survey of 323 households in the ward had a 71% response rate with affordable starter homes for young families earning the maximum highest perceived benefit score from 40% of all respondents – higher than any other option.

Cynlas Cyf, based near Caernarfon, was appointed to manage the community engagement project after a competitive tender and selection process. The project was co-funded by Glyntraian Community Council and Regional Development Agency, Cadwyn Clwyd through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme.

The meeting was attended by Wrexham Council Leader, Cllr Mark Pritchard and Cadwyn Clwyd Project Manager, Helen Williams, who both praised the integrity and quality of the process.

Glyntraian Community Council Chairman, Cllr Graham Barrow said: “We wish to thank Marc Roberts for his diligence and hard work in conducting a rigorous and thoughtful consultation. He has produced a balanced and extremely detailed report, thoroughly researched, soundly evidenced and which pays due regard to the desires of many in our community.

“The report will now be forwarded to Wrexham Council, owners of the site, for further consideration. We look forward to working closely with the Authority, potential developers and of course, Glyntraian residents in designing a scheme the village can be proud of and which duly acknowledges the much-valued history and heritage of the old school.

It is expected that the outcomes of the meeting will be acknowledged by Wrexham Council, and a formal ‘disposal’ or similar report will come forward to the Executive Board at a later date.