MACHYNLLETH’S “exciting” new Ysgol Bro Hyddgen building could help attract children back to the school, town councillors have heard.

Powys County Council is currently working with school chiefs, architects and contractors on plans for the new school building, which it is hoped will open in September 2020.

While town councillors said they welcomed the plans for a new school, concerns were raised about falling pupil numbers and teaching staff numbers at the school.

Cllr Simon Morpeth questioned if the new building could become a “white elephant”.

However, Betsan Ifan, the council’s school’s transformation programme manager, said Powys Council expected that the new-build school would lead to an increase in pupils attending the school as had been seen with similar new-build schools in the county.

Cllr Morpeth said that after a number of youngsters from the catchment area enrolled in other schools he warned that falling pupil numbers could cause problems.

He said: “My worry is that you’ll have a great school, but no kids.”

Ms Ifan said other new-build schools had seen pupil numbers increase as parents wanted their children to attend a school with brand new facilities.

There was support for the new building with Cllr Michael Williams saying that it had been called for in the area for many years.

He said: “I very much welcome that Machynlleth and Bro Dyfi will have a brand new school.

“It’s something the public, the children, the parents and the staff have wanted for many years.”

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