AN INVESTMENT of nearly £5 million has been committed to build a new primary school in Criccieth.

Gwynedd council has secured investment in principle, including a financial contribution from the Welsh Government, towards building the new school.

This follows condition surveys of Ysgol Treferthyr which have identified a number of significant defects to its buildings that would need attention within the next five years.

Gwynedd council cabinet member for education, Cllr Gareth Thomas, said: “The condition of the Ysgol Treferthyr building has been of concern to the council for a number of years. We are therefore very pleased to have secured an investment in principle of more than £4.9 million, including a contribution from the Welsh Government, towards building a new school.”

Cllr Thomas added: “Obviously, it is early days, but we are pleased that we have held discussions with governors, staff and parents of Ysgol Llanystumdwy, as well as representatives from the Diocese of Bangor, regarding any possible impact that building a new school in Criccieth could have on their school. We are therefore pleased to say that the school is eager to be part of a Local Review Panel as we consider the next steps.”

A report will be presented to Gwynedd cabinet on Tuesday April 2 that will ask for the right to begin local discussions to identify options for building a new primary school in Criccieth that will include Ysgol Treferthyr and Llanystumdwy in the discussions.

If the cabinet supports the recommendation to begin local discussions with the two schools, a series of meetings will be held with representatives from Ysgol Treferthyr and Ysgol Llanystumdwy. These discussions will include discussing issues such as possible locations and needs of the new school, with the intention of identifying a preferred option that responds to the future education needs of the area.