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North Wales Chronicle
4 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Anglesey secondary school set for new £66million home
Isle of Anglesey County Council hopes to relocate Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi into a new building near Holyhead Leisure Centre by September 2030. The main aims of the new building, estimated to cost almost £66million and able to accommodate 900 pupils – would be to ensure: A wide-ranging statutory consultation on the began today (June 5). All stakeholders with a connection to Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi are now being encouraged to have their say on proposals (dependent on successful procurement of the land). Anglesey's Executive approved the statutory consultation process on the new building last month. It will include special sessions to gain feedback on the proposals from pupils, school council, staff, governors, parents and other interested stakeholders. Education and Welsh language portfolio holder, Councillor Dafydd Roberts, said: 'This statutory consultation marks the first step on an exciting journey towards September 2030.' 'The proposals represent our commitment to the future of education and Welsh language in Caergybi and wider Holy Island. 'Input from everyone connected to Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi will therefore be vital in helping us shape this project going forward.' READ MORE: Air ambulance attends incident at Anglesey secondary school Luxury eco lodges on Anglesey up for sale for £3.1million The discovery of RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) at the current Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi building had a significant effect on school processes and pupil education between September 2023 and January 2024. Coupled with a need for significant expenditure on maintenance, the current building is coming to the end of its life. Director of education, skills and young people, Aaron C Evans, explained: 'Officers have considered a number of different options for the provision of secondary education in the Holyhead area. 'We've come to the conclusion that a new building for Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi is the best way forward. 'Creating a new modern building would be a significant investment in education in Caergybi and wider catchment area and would also ensure the long-term sustainability of secondary education in the area. 'A new school building with specialist modern learning facilities of the highest standard would also help ensure the best possible educational experiences and outcomes for young people; and support the aims of the County Council's Modernising Learning Communities and Welsh Language Strategy.' The statutory consultation process will run between 5 June and 17 July 2025. An accessible easy read version of the consultation document is available on the council's website.
North Wales Chronicle
26-05-2025
- General
- North Wales Chronicle
Council agree plans for new £66m Holyhead secondary school
Anglesey County Council's executive agreed a recommendation to relocate Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi pupils to a brand new school building for 11–18-year-olds. It also authorised officers to undertake 'the necessary statutory consultation' over the plan when it met in Llangefni. The new 900 pupil school is anticipated for 2030, and would be developed in a five-year plan, which would see a six month statutory consultation period, the creation of business cases and plans over several years, and the building work. MORE NEWS: Work begins on 54 new social homes in 'beautiful location' on Anglesey What to do if your dog is bitten by a snake - symptoms, treatment and more Why police in North Wales arrested a man for having a wee People in North Wales lost over £2million to dating scams in just three years The proposed site of the new school, a council report noted, could be on 'land near Holyhead Leisure Centre 'contingent upon successful land acquisition.' The estimated cost is currently estimated at £65.9m, and would be partly funded by the Welsh Government and the council, through a MIM – Mutual Investment Model. The sale of Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi site could also release some capital towards the cost, a report notes. Officers said they had considered 'reasonable alternatives' for secondary education provision in the Holyhead area, but that Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi, built in 1949, was now 'coming to the end of its life. The meeting was told it had needed major repairs in the short to medium term and maintenance costs could run to £30m. The school was one of five in Wales caught up in the RAC – reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete – crisis several years ago. It had undergone major repairs after it was found that nearly 60% of the building had RAAC. With the RAAC and the school's age and condition – although it was strongly stressed throughout the meeting – that the building was 'safe' the best option' was considered to move pupils eventually, to a new school. It was also part of a 'commitment' to the Welsh language, education and community. 'It is an exciting opportunity to create a modern new building creating a positive effect on staff on learners and it addresses the issues with the state of the existing building,' Aaron C Evans, director of education, skills and young People said. A new school would ensure the 'current and long-term sustainability' of secondary education in Holyhead area, and 'sufficient' secondary places to meet current and future demand, his report said. Council leader, Cllr Gary Pritchard said: 'The existing school is totally safe, but there is an opportunity for us to invest in our young people and in Holyhead to build a new school for the most populated town on the island. Deputy leader, Cllr Robin Williams said: 'The new school will be part of Holyhead's regeneration, with the Freeport on its way, and the Prosperity Park, as they call it, just a stone's throw away from the site that we are looking at for the school. I see this is a golden opportunity. 'We have a building, it is safe at the moment, but the truth is it is coming to the end of its life. Rather than spend millions on trying to maintain an old building we should invest, it will be partly funded by the Welsh Government, and we should move on and build a new building 'We recognise other buildings on the island that will need to be addressed. The situation at Holyhead was heading towards an emergency, with nearly 60 percent of the building having RAAC, it only had a few years left. 'I know there are other buildings, but we don't have the resources to do that. I want people out there to know we won't forget about other buildings on the island, we will be looking at maintenance on those in time.' He welcomed the council pressing ahead 'as soon as possible' with the consultation. The council's chief executive Dylan J Williams encouraged people to take part in the process. 'This is the start of a lengthy and complex process…I would like to encourage stakeholders and the public to have their say, this is just the beginning of the journey. 'We don't have all the answers to a number of important questions locally, but that does not mean people can't register concerns or expectations.'
