PLANS for a new £48 million school in Machynlleth have been given the go ahead.

Powys County Council Cabinet has approved proposals for a potential £48million investment in Ysgol Bro Hyddgen. as part of a £170million overhaul of education in the county.

The plans will see the town’s library and a swimming pool on the school site, which would also provide education from four-years-old to 18.

The cabinet approved five reports which would result in new school facilities across the county, as well as a proposal to carry out a consultation on establishing a new all-age school.

However, some schools could close as part of the transforming education work.

One of the reports is a revised strategic outline case for a new all-age community campus for Ysgol Bro Hyddgen, in Machynlleth.

The report will now be submitted to the Welsh Government who will decide whether or not to back the case.

The all-age school campus, which will replace the existing school buildings, will include early years and education provision, along with brand new leisure and library facilities, replacing the existing Bro Ddyfi Leisure Centre and the town’s library.

Ysgol Bro Hyddgen Headmaster Dafydd Jones praised the news: “This is wonderful news. The new campus will improve facilities for the children and the general public in the Dyfi Valley.

“Having the town library and the leisure facilities on the same site is fantastic. I’d like to thank the staff from Powys County Council and Heart of Wales Property Services for making this happen.”

Chair of Governors for Ysgol Bro Hyddgen and County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan added: “Naturally I very much welcome the fact that the Cabinet have approved the proposals.

“After a great deal of hard work, this will secure a range of services for the area for a generation. I’m particularly pleased that the whole site will be of passive house design, a high environmental standard and the first of its kind in the UK.

“That is fitting and appropriate for Machynlleth which has led the way so often on environmental matters. I hope we can get early approval from the Government and that we can commence work early next year.”

Machynlleth Cllr Michael Williams said: “I was absolutely delighted to support the proposals at the cabinet meeting. It’s my opinion that there is no doubt that, if approved by the Welsh Government, the proposals will ensure learning, health and wellbeing, and culture for many years to come.

“They will ensure a huge boost to our young people and those wanting to use the other facilities.

“I am urging the Welsh Government to approve these excellent proposals for the people of Machynlleth, the Dyfi Valley, and further afield.”