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School whose closure was opposed by Welsh language campaigners to be turned into holiday lets

06 Oct 2021 3 minute read
The former Ysgol Gynradd Llanddeusant school building. Taken by LDR.

Gareth Wyn Williams, local democracy reporter

Plans have been submitted to change a former island primary school, which was the subject of a campaign to avoid its closure, into holiday lets.

Anglesey Council has received an application to transform the former home of Ysgol Gynradd Llanddeusant into a four-bedroom holiday let.

Having served the village and wider Tref Alaw community in rural north west Anglesey for 164 years, the school shut its doors in 2011 with 18 pupils left on the roll.

It was the subject of a Cymdeithas yr Iaith campaign to avoid the closure of a number of Welsh language schools in the area, including Llanfaethlu, Llanfachraeth and Llanrhyddlad, and merge them together into one area school.

With 10 affordable homes being built on the former playing fields, the school building itself was eventually transformed into the offices of Cadarn Consulting Engineers.

But following the company’s relocation to Llangefni, new plans have now been submitted.

‘Legacy’

The supporting documents accompanying Dr Masood Malik’s new application, state: “This would preserve the building for generations to come, boosting the local economy and encouraging tourism to Anglesey as a whole.”

Proposing only minor alterations to the exterior, the bulk of any permitted development would be to the interior to accommodate a four bedroom property.

Marketed to capitalise on the village’s most famous landmark of Melin Llynon, which is Wales’ only working windmill, Dr Malik added that efforts will be made to mark the building’s rich history.

“To maintain the cultural heritage of the building I will put a display in the entrance of the building outlining the school’s history.

“I will showcase photos, paper articles, significant events and former pupils. I have already spoken to members of the community who are very happy to submit photos and memorabilia for the display.

“It will be a legacy for future generations and acknowledgement of a forgotten history. I would be happy for the council to be involved in this if they wish to do so to celebrate the local community.”

A building condition inspection report found the building to be “in need of significant repairs and upgrading to both internal and external fabrics.”

It’s expected that Anglesey Council’s planning committee will consider the application over the coming months following a public consultation including the views of Tref Alaw Community Council.


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David
David
2 years ago

Where are the Paid Cymru councillors?

Olwen Jones
Olwen Jones
2 years ago
Reply to  David

Do not pick on any Councillors – it is out of their hands as Government Planning Rules originate from Westminster and they need to be adjusted.

Dr John Ball
Dr John Ball
2 years ago
Reply to  Olwen Jones

No. Planning permission is clearly a duty – indeed power – of the local council.
Planning law is devolved and whilst I’m no fan of Westminster that’s just an excuse.
And as an earlier post noted, where are the Plaid Cymru councillors?

Sumner Tesker DPhil
Sumner Tesker DPhil
2 years ago
Reply to  Dr John Ball

They don’t want to hear correct facts on here

Best to say all planning in Gwynedd is decided by Jacob Rees Mogg’s governess.

Cathy Jones
Cathy Jones
2 years ago

Cymru history, culture, education smashed to pieces on the anvil of capitalism… so we can have “affordable housing” and ah yes, of course, “holiday lets”, for Saesneg tourists who will disappear the moment Spain and the south of France are open to being vomited an urinated on, overrun with middle-class English people and their vile kids again.

Hedda Mulgrew
Hedda Mulgrew
2 years ago
Reply to  Cathy Jones

Shouldn’t that be “Saeson”?

I am sure such a clearly educated and balanced individual didn’t make that mistake on acccount of being one the numerous people on here who a quick with the nasty comments but slow on speaking the language.

Even better, judging by the regular missives of idiocy that you come out with, here is what you should do : forego Engish completely – speak only Welsh and don’t take your vile nobody opinions outside of Wales.

The UK has far better people trying to get in on dinghies in the channel.

Hwyl fawr!

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
2 years ago

From proud little learners to nice little earners…

Rudolph Winksworth
Rudolph Winksworth
2 years ago

If this isn’t symbolic of our cultural decline, I don’t know what is

Clive
Clive
2 years ago

Not only our cultural decline sadly but across the board! #indywales now!

Clive
Clive
2 years ago

This encapsulates exactly whats happening to Wales! This, and similar issues, are being repeated throughout Wales and unless we’re careful, we’ll end up like Cornwall. We need to leavr this broken, unequal ‘union’ ASAP!

Grayham Jones
2 years ago

Stop all incomers coming to wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 and give all second homes 🏠 to young people in wales who can’t get on the housing market because of incomers it’s time for a new wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 stop being little Englanders and be proud to be welsh start fighting for your children and grandchildren future in wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Hedda Mulgrew
Hedda Mulgrew
2 years ago
Reply to  Grayham Jones

Stop parroting the same xenophobic rubbish that would never work. Stop blaming one nation for your problems.

Maureen
Maureen
2 years ago
Reply to  Hedda Mulgrew

That is not xenophobia, Grayham simply has a desire to keep our youngsters in our communities, and reduce the number of second homes in our heartlands. We are the ones subjected to racism by some English people, so it could be argued that the hatred we are sometimes subjected to is xenophobic. Comments made to me recently by an Englishman were downright nasty, racist even, he was of the opinion that we speak a stupid language that no one wants to speak, was very amused that people are unable to buy houses, he said “Haha you people will end up… Read more »

Sumner Tesker DPhil
Sumner Tesker DPhil
2 years ago
Reply to  Maureen

I believe you. You obviously aren’t making that up.

Sumner Tesker DPhil
Sumner Tesker DPhil
2 years ago
Reply to  Maureen

Second homes are 10% of the stock in Gwynedd and a good number are owned by Cymry.

If you think banning or forcibly reocuppying them would drop the average price, you might be shocked.

Wrexhamian
Wrexhamian
2 years ago
Reply to  Hedda Mulgrew

Stop confusing anti-colonialism with xenophobia. And everyone knows that some second homes in Cymru are owned by Welsh people. He’s just highlighting the main source of the problem (albeit rather often).

Hedda Mulgrew
Hedda Mulgrew
2 years ago
Reply to  Wrexhamian

Of course it is xenophobia.

The Welsh are happy to buy homes and holiday abroad.

Wrexhamian
Wrexhamian
2 years ago
Reply to  Hedda Mulgrew

It’s not xenophobia because the protests are not aimed at any one ethnic group or nationality. The protests are in defence of local people who are being priced out of living in their own communities. I accept that the vast majority of holiday homes in Ynys Môn are bought by people from England, but Cornwall, the Scottish Highlands, and some of the more attractive parts of England have the same problem.

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