New Machynlleth School Set to Open in 2029 as Tender Issued

Authorities have confirmed that a new educational facility in Machynlleth is scheduled to open by September 2029 at the latest. This announcement coincides with plans to issue a tender in January 2024 for a contractor to construct a replacement for Ysgol Bro Hyddgen. The existing secondary school will be demolished and replaced with a new building that accommodates both primary and secondary education, catering to a total of 540 students.

After facing several setbacks, including the collapse of the construction firm Dawnus, the project, which originated in 2017, appears to be gaining momentum. Elwyn Vaughan, the County Councillor for Glantwymyn, expressed optimism about the project, stating, “After confirmation of the capital funding support, I have had confirmation that Powys will be going out to tender to build the new school in January.” He acknowledged the lengthy wait but noted the recent developments as a positive step forward.

The project has encountered challenges in recent years. Notably, when Powys County Council sought professional advice regarding construction costs, estimates surged significantly. Vaughan elaborated on the situation, indicating, “Building costs have gone up a great deal in the last couple of years, so when they went to seek professional advice, estimates were higher than expected, hence the need to review matters. Now that has been done, it seems they are at last ready to go out to full tender.”

The anticipated costs for the new school have also seen adjustments. Alwyn Evans, the County Councillor for Machynlleth, revealed during a town council meeting in September that the estimated expenses could have escalated from £48 million to £63 million. Last year, the plans received approval for a comprehensive school building that includes a 3G sports pitch, athletics facilities, outdoor performance space, a play area, and improved access with vehicle and cycle parking.

A spokesperson for Powys County Council confirmed that the revised costs will be finalized after the tendering process. They added, “As part of the project, we are also preparing a revised Outline Business Case for Cabinet and Welsh Government approval.” The Welsh Government previously committed to covering 65 percent of the expenses, underscoring the project’s significance to local education and community development.

With the tender process set to begin next month, stakeholders are hopeful that the long-awaited new school will soon become a reality, offering enhanced educational facilities and resources for the children of Machynlleth.