A NEW £23 million replacement school in Machynlleth should be open by September 2020.

Contractor Dawnus has been chosen by Powys County Council as the lead contractor to build the all-through school (aged three to 18) set to be the first Passivhous accredited all-through school in the country.

The replacement school is being designed to meet Passivhous accreditation meaning it will have high energy efficiency standards, significantly reducing energy needed for heating and cooling, cutting the school’s CO2 emissions.

Dawnus has already delivered a number of school construction projects across the country and are working with the council on the £13 million project to build two new primary schools in Welshpool.

Portfolio holder for Education, Cllr Myfanwy Alexander, said; “We are delighted to announce our ambitious plans for education in Machynlleth.

“The education communities have already embraced the advantages of an all-through school and this new delivery model will in future take place in Wales’ first Passivhaus school.

“Dawnus has embraced our aspirations and it is most fitting that Machynlleth, an area with an unrivalled tradition of energy conservation research, is home to this visionary development.”

The new school infrastructure will be built on the current playing fields on the current Ysgol Bro Hyddgen secondary campus, with the old building being demolished to make room for a new car park and sporting facilities.

The school will embrace a ‘cradle to college’ approach with three early years’ class bases and ancillaries, with a primary school capacity of 210 pupils. The secondary capacity will be 380 including sixth form provision.

Pupils with Additional Learning Needs will also be catered for.

New facilities, including a multi-use games area and a 3G pitch, are included in the plans and will be available for community use. The new school is scheduled to open in September 2020.

The council will start consultation to finalise designs with drop-in events for the school, parents and the community.