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Powys County Times
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Schools 'deeply concerned' with Powys sixth form plans
Two major schools in Powys have said they are 'deeply concerned' with council plans to close English medium sixth forms in the county. The governing bodies of Ysgol Llanfyllin and Welshpool High School have released a joint statement saying both schools 'neither the interests of our learners or our communities' will benefit from one of the proposed plans regarding the future of Powys sixth forms. Powys Council is undertaking a review of post-16 education in Powys under which one option would be to close all English-medium sixth forms in the county and replace them with two new large-scale colleges in Newtown and Brecon. Governors of the Welshpool and Llanfyllin schools, which make up 29 percent of Powys sixth form pupils, have requested that stakeholders challenge 'both the methodology and outcomes' of the review. The joint statement said: 'Both governing bodies are aware and fully support the review of post-16 education in Powys; however, for the review to have such a considered outcome and openly declared preferred option, before directly considering the needs of learners and communities in North Powys, is very much placing the cart before the horse. 'Both governing bodies feel unable to support the preferred option and encourage other north Powys stakeholders to consider a similar approach. 'Beyond simply leaving Welsh Medium provision to one of the smallest providers, there is no coherent plan to address the key reasons for the lack of a broad Welsh Medium, post-16 curriculum in north Powys. 'The plan makes no consideration of the ease of access and close proximity of several well established and stable post-16 providers, which are available to northern Powys pupils a short distance across the border. 'No consideration has been given to the risk of an increased migration of north Powys pupils across the border, which could reduce the size of Powys 6th Form by as much as a third. 'No consideration has been given to how a decline in pupil numbers—caused by post-16 students choosing to attend provision in Newtown or across the border—might affect the viability of existing schools in north Powys.' The statement also called for better engagement with the schools before any decision is made, asking the Council to engage 'in a meaningful way' with schools, their senior leaders and governing bodies. Ysgol Llanfyllin's Chair of Governers added: 'A 'town hall meeting', arranged after declaring a preferred option, is neither a credible nor meaningful consultation with key stakeholders.'
Wales Online
24-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Council announce plans for 500 new homes in Barry
Council announce plans for 500 new homes in Barry They have been forced to change their original plans to build 900 new homes in the north east of Barry Vale of Glamorgan Council are consulting locals on the plans (Image: Matthew Horwood ) The Vale of Glamorgan Council are consulting residents on proposed plans to build almost 400 new homes in the north west area of Barry near Porthkerry Country Park. The plans form part of a wider proposal for nearly 500 new homes in the town which will be built alongside local infrastructure improvements. The council had originally planned to build 900 new homes on Argae Lane in the north east of Barry but due to land ownership issues the council have been forced to look at different sites. As Barry is the largest town in the Vale of Glamorgan and home to 41% of the population, the council said land had to be allocated to reflect the town's status as a 'Key Settlement' and tackle the need for affordable housing. After considering a variety of different locations, they have identified the Weycock Cross area in north west Barry as the most suitable due to its proximity to key train stations, services and facilities. The council explained that the site is within walking distance of a major supermarket, GP surgery, community centre, three primary schools (English Medium, Welsh Medium and Church in Wales) and two high schools (English and Welsh Medium). The council also acknowledged how busy the Weycock Cross roundabout gets during peak times, saying they would be seeking to "deliver improvements to the capacity and flow of the roundabout" as part of the development. Article continues below The plan for 376 homes in Weycock Cross (Image: Vale of Glamorgan Council ) The proposed sites for new housing in Barry are: North West Barry (Weycock Cross) - up to 376 homes Hayes Lane, The Bendricks - 70 homes Neptune Road, Barry Waterfront - 40 homes 70 new homes will be built on Hayes Lanes in Barry (Image: Vale of Glamorgan Council ) 40 homes will also be built near the ASDA in Barry Waterfront (Image: Vale of Glamorgan Council ) The Vale of Glamorgan Council are running a public consultation on the plans, which lasts until July 14. Afterwards, they will consider the responses and prepare a subsequent report. Love dreamy Welsh homes? Sign up to our newsletter here . Andrew RT Davies, Member of the Senedd for the South Wales Central region, has criticised the Weycock Cross plans, calling them "completely unsuitable". He said: "For too long, we've faced overdevelopment in the Vale, thanks to arbritary housing targets imposed on our communities by Labour Senedd ministers. Article continues below "This, combined with Senedd ministers' plans to make Wales a Nation of Sanctuary for asylum seekers, will exacerbate existing pressures on local GP provision, dental surgeries, schools and transport infrastructure. These proposals must be dropped."
