The ongoing saga over the future of the old Groves school has taken yet another twist.

Last week, the decision to grant grade-II listed status to the building in Powell Road, Wrexham, was overturned following a judicial review, with cabinet secretary for economy and infrastucture, Ken Skates, told to revisit his decision.

But finance and local government minister, Professor Mark Drakeford, has backed Mr Skates and decided to bestow listed status on the building once again – with immediate effect.

Mr Skates announced yesterday that all the evidence presented had been reviewed and it was concluded that the decision to list the building was the right one.

Wrexham Council successfully challenged the previous decision, resulting in it being quashed by Judicial Review.

It was accepted that there was a lack of detail in the original listing decision.

But the building has once again been grade-II listed again, meaning it is safe from demolition for the time being.

Elaine Guntrip-Thomas, chairman of Save Our Heritage, said: “We knew the worth of this building all along.

“The reasons given to list the building are now documented for the public to see. We believe that we have been vindicated in our decision to campaign to save this important building.”

But Wrexham Council leader, Cllr Mark Pritchard, said the authority would be seeking further legal advice about the decision.

He said: “We are very disappointed with this decision and will take legal advice on the way forward.

“I can assure everyone that the council remains committed to providing 21st Century education in Wrexham on this site and this decision will not detract from our commitment.”

The site is the subject of a covenant earmarking it for educational use.

The original decision to demolish the Groves building was taken in January at an executive board meeting after the council withdrew from negotiations to sell the building to Coleg Cambria.

A motion to ‘call in’ the executive board decision to demolish the school was narrowly defeated by the council’s customer and performance scrutiny committee.

Other options discussed included demolishing part of the building but retaining the facade at £418,000, as well as an extra £155,000 per year to protect it while waiting for any development to go ahead, and retaining and mothballing the site for £375,000.

Once demolished, the council plans to build two or more new schools on the site to meet increasing demand.

Members of Wrexham’s administration have confirmed the former Groves site is to be redeveloped for education purposes only, as per the covenants that exist on the land.