PLANS for a new super-school in Llandudno Junction are back on the agenda thanks to a Welsh Government windfall.
Conwy Council was awarded £1.28m this week as part of a £15m funding boost ahead of the Welsh Government’s next round of education funding in 2013-14.
Plans to replace Ysgol Maelgwn and Ysgol Nant y Coed with an super-school were shelved last year due to a cut in available funds - but the new grant has seen the plans revived.
Cllr Wyn Ellis Jones, Conwy Council’s cabinet member for skills and lifelong learning, said: “We looked at the possibility of developing a new school in Llandudno Junction, but with the funding being cut we planned to look back at it either next year or the year after.
“This funding from the Welsh Government has come as a surprise, and has helped us put the plans back on the table.
“We have two schools in Llandudno Junction, both of which are in significant need of development, and are one of our top priorities. With the work going on at Ysgol Gogarth, that side of has been taken care of, so now we can look at Llandudno Junction as our main priority.
“We’ll now be able to look back over the options that we’ve developed.”
The new school project would cost an estimated £11-12m, with Conwy Council needing to come up with half of the funds.
Further funding would become available as part of the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools programme in 2013-14.
Minister for education and skills Leighton Andrews said: "The £1.28m for the Llandudno Junction area, which is part of the £15m boost for schools, underlines our commitment to the 21st Century Schools Programme.
“Securing capital investment in these difficult economic times is essential, not only for our schools and communities, but for the continued support of our construction industry and the growth of our economy.”
Geraint James, head of education services for Conwy Council, added: “Conwy welcomes the announcement of the additional capital funding that the Welsh Government has made available to Conwy in 2013/14 in order to progress the development of a new school in Llandudno Junction.
“There are still a significant number of decisions to be agreed before Conwy can deliver this new school option for Llandudno Junction, but we look forward to working with the Community and the Welsh Government to progress this very important project at the earliest opportunity. ”