PLANS for the £13million reform of schools in Welshpool are in chaos after it is confirmed that the former Maesydre school building, has been given listed building status.

This means that Powys County council will have to come up with a "Plan B" for building the Welsh medium primary school, Ysgol Gymraeg y Trallwng.

CADW, the Welsh Government’s historic building and environment service, have been consulting on an application to give the Maesydre Grade II listed status since before Christmas and announced their decision earlier this week.

Chair of Ysgol Gymraeg y Trallwng Governors, Lindsey Phillips, believes it's now time for everyone to pull together to ensure the Welsh medium school does eventually get built.

Mrs Phillips and Ysgol Gymraeg y Trallwng headteacher, Bethan Bleddyn, will be meeting Powys County Council to discuss the situation on Thursday.

Mrs Phillips, spoke to the County Times: "I'm just glad that a decision has now finally been made after all the this time.

"This is what we were expecting really.

"We need to work together so that we can go ahead with making the school a reality, there doesn't seem to be much point in discussing CADW's decision too much.

"We just want to see the building for Ysgol Gymraeg y Trallwng built with as little delay as possible.

"The good thing is that it's the "red" part of the building that has been listed, not the whole site, which means that the new school could be built on that land and the building would need to be incorporated into that."

"This is what it is and we need to work around this."

A spokesman for CADW, said: "We can confirm that Maesydre school has been given listed building status and we have notified Powys County Council.

“The school is of special historic interest as a well-preserved example of an important Welsh school type, built during an important phase of school development in which for the first time, regular provision was made for state secondary education.

“The school is of special architectural interest for the way in which its form articulates the range of activities it accommodated, in an elegant expression of purpose.

"It is a coherent and consistent essay in Baroque revival, and survives with only minor alteration.”

Cabinet Member for Schools, Councillor Myfanwy Alexander said; “Imaginative plans are being developed which will provide top quality modern educational provision whilst preserving this integral part of Welshpool’s heritage. 

"We have been working with the community of Ysgol Gymraeg Y Trallwng and soon hope to be able to share the amended designs with wider stakeholders."

A spokesman for Powys County Council, said: "Cadw accepted the council’s view that the listing is confined to the original building and does not include 1955 additions.

"Working with Ysgol Gymraeg y Trallwng, it has been agreed that revised plans will focus on building a new 21st Century school building towards the back of the listed building, and restoring the main building

"Specialist architects will be appointed to the project to combine both elements and create a real ‘wow factor’ for the new school.

"Although the listing has caused real disappointment within the community, the council will now look forward to restoring the building to its former glory and ensuring that all primary aged pupils in the town are taught in equitable school accommodation."

It is expected that building the new Welshpool Church in Wales near Welshpool High School will continue as planned, with the school currently based on three sites, Maesydre (now named Howell Drive Site) Gungrog Road Site and Oldford Close Site

The Council Spokesman added: "Welshpool Church in Wales Primary school, will move to a brand new school facility on Salop Road in September 2019."

Powys County Council for Welshpool Llanerchyddol, Graham Breeze, believes that this is the best possible resolution and welcomed the compromise.

Cllr Breeze, said “Powys County Council officers have been working closely with CADW ever since the application for listing was made and we now have a very exciting design on the table which sees the listed part of the school maintained within the framework of the new school.

“This ensures that the education of our children is not affected."