A BRAND-NEW Welsh learning centre will be built in St Asaph to meet an increase in demand for the language.

The Welsh Language Centre, which will be funded by the Welsh Government, is set to be built on the Ysgol Glan Clwyd site in St Asaph and made available to pre-school pupils, latecomers to Welsh medium education in key stage two and three through an 'immersion' programme, and used a facility for the development of Welsh language resources.

The facility could also allow for an increase in capacity for Glan Clwyd and be utilised for adult learning outside of school hours.

The language centre follows a successful funding application submitted by Denbighshire County Council to the Welsh Government.

Cllr Huw Hilditch- Roberts, cabinet lead member for children, young people and the Welsh language, said: “This is a significant investment by the Welsh Government in Welsh medium provision in Denbighshire and is needed to help meet the increase in demand for Welsh medium places county-wide.

“In Denbighshire, we have a clear vision to develop the Welsh language in our communities, including our schools and colleagues have worked tirelessly on putting together a significant, ambitious and compelling bid for funding."

It is hoped the new language centre will help the WG reach its target of one million Welsh speakers in Wales by 2050.

Cllr Hilditch-Roberts said: “The council has made a firm commitment to enhancing Welsh medium education and providing opportunities for children and young people in its own Corporate Plan and this key project will play an important part in working towards this ambition.

“This is a good news story for Denbighshire and we look forward to seeing this centre develop as our efforts to play our part in meeting the national target for Welsh speakers by 2050 continue."