CONTROVERSIAL plans for Bala’s new all-through school have been displayed in front of prospective pupils and parents.
At the start of the month, Gwynedd Council held an open evening where the general public had the opportunity to see the plans for the developments for Ysgol y Berwyn.
Last June, the county council decided to axe Ysgol Beuno Sant and Ysgol Bro Tegid in the Bala area and replace them with a Welsh-medium learning campus for pupils aged 3-19 on the current site of Ysgol y Berwyn.
They hope the new school will open in 2018.
Concerns had been raised that the new centre would become a faith school, but councillors have subsequently assured parents that this will not be the case, although the Church in Wales will be entitled to four of the 18 seats on the school’s governing body.
The council welcomes all members of the public to have their say on the new education facility.
Following the meeting, a Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: “The council will be investing over £10 million to establish a Learning Campus for ages 3-19 at the Ysgol y Berwyn site in Bala that will provide a new learning environment fit for the 21st century.
“As part of the development, Gwynedd Council will establish services at the campus which will be at the heart of the local community, including a revamped library and community cinema.
“A public exhibition was recently held so that parents, pupils, members of staff, governors and members of the public could see outline proposals that will be the basis for the forthcoming planning application that will shortly be submitted to the Snowdonia National Park Authority for consideration.
“Officers from Gwynedd Council’s Property Development Department as well as architects responsible for the plans were present in the session, and we are grateful to all who attended and submitted comments on the outline plans.
“Every effort will be made to incorporate all relevant comments made.”