PLANS to create a new Welsh-medium primary school in Wrexham have formally been submitted.

Wrexham Council previously held a consultation on proposals for the existing Borras Park Community Primary School site.

It would result in the junior school building being refurbished and expanded to accommodate all pupils being taught in English.

The project would see ten extra classrooms being built within a two-storey extension, along with a new childcare unit.

The current infant school would then be completely remodelled to establish a new Welsh medium school for 210 children.

The local authority said the scheme would address the increasing demand for Welsh-medium school places in the area, despite a small number of objectors claiming the facility was not required.

In a planning statement, consultants acting on behalf of contractors Read Construction said: “The provision of a new Welsh medium school for the area, supports the Welsh Government drive to encourage the usage of the Welsh language within communities across Wales.

“The WCBC Welsh in Education Strategic Plan – 2017-2020 notes as one of its objectives an increase in the number of pupils receiving their education through the medium of Welsh.

“In particular the plan notes the desire to increase capacity of Welsh medium places by an additional 401 places, with this proposal forming part of this increased capacity in places.”

They added: “The main objective of the proposal is the improvement of the existing buildings and teaching facilities on the site and where necessary their extension to provide additional teaching and childcare facilities.

“This being of benefit both to the teaching staff and pupil’s using these buildings, as well the wider community these schools serve.”

The council originally intended to launch the new Welsh school last September by creating a seed school at the former Hafod y Wern Infants site.

However, the plans were delayed after no first choice preferences were received from parents for reception places and only two for the nursery.

Senior councillors said there was still a need for further Welsh medium places, but agreed to postpone opening the school until September 2021 when it will be based permanently at the Borras Park infants site.

The proposed annual intake would be for 30 nursery places and 30 at reception level.

Concerns were previously raised by Borras residents about traffic and parking provisions, which the construction firm said would be addressed by new access arrangements.

It said: “This proposal looks to maintain the existing access arrangements and where possible enhance them.

“This can be seen in the creation of a new pedestrian footpath linking the existing doctor’s surgery to Borras Park Road.

“The extension of the existing shared footpath to allow for better interconnectivity between the schools.

“While to facilitate the proposed new site layout the existing footpath running to the secondary pedestrian entrance will be relocated. However this existing entrance will be retained.”

Plans are in place to make the existing junior school car park bigger to be used by both schools, with a new footpath to link it to the Welsh medium site.

The consultants said dedicated drop off spaces would also be created, as well improved play areas.

The proposals will be considered by planners at a later date.