PLANS to create a new 210-pupil Welsh medium school in Wrexham have been given the green light as demand for places grows.

Earlier this year Wrexham Council entered a statutory notice period over proposals for the school, which will initially be based at the former Hafod Y Wern Infants site in Caia Park during 2019.

After renovations have been completed it will then move to its permanent base at Borras Park Community Primary School in 2021.

The plans were welcomed by councillors at an executive board meeting this morning (Tuesday 10 July), who said it would address increasing calls for more Welsh-medium school places.

Addressing the meeting in Welsh, Cllr Gwenfair Jones said: "I would like to congratulate the council as at last we will have more spaces for Welsh medium education, both for Welsh children and non-Welsh speaking children.

"There has been a concern that parents aren’t putting their names down for their children to attend Welsh-medium schools, especially in Borras, Gresford and Rossett because they know there would be no places available."

However, one leading councillor decided to vote against the rest of the board following concerns raised by Borras residents about traffic and parking provisions.

In total there were 16 responses to the published statutory notices, including 14 of from people living in Borras.

They included 13 related to traffic and travel issues, while some people objected to the council providing additional Welsh medium places.

Lead member for childrens' services, Cllr William Baldwin, said: "To be consistent I will be voting against this and it's purely and simply on the safety concerns.

"I know that everybody says that it will be okay, but I dread the moment, I really do.

"I've been having lots of conversations and lots of phone calls from people with comments about how dangerous they think it is."

The authority said it would aim to address traffic and parking concerns by making improvements to the Borras site, including additional parking and a new parent and taxi drop off road.

The temporary site will be home to a total of 105 pupils, including 15 in each year group.

Once it moves to its permanent home in Borras that number will increase to 210 pupils with 30 per year group.

The first year of entry will be September 2019 for nursery and reception classes only.

At the same meeting councillors also voted to consult on proposals to increase pupil numbers at Ysgol Bro Alun in Gwersyllt.

If successful the number of pupils at the Welsh-medium primary school would go up to 315 from 210 with nursery places being boosted to 45.

The additional capacity would be subject to a successful bid to Welsh Government to support the extension of the building and facilities on site.