The former Pontfadog school site will go up for auction after a decision to put it on the market was made by Wrexham Council.
The authority’s ruling Executive Board has agreed to put the site up for sale despite the pleas of locals and those seeking to set up a forest school and community hub there, who asked questions at the start of the meeting. They hoped other avenues could be explored for its future.
But council leader Esclusham Cllr Mark Pritchard (Ind) was adamant all other options for the site had been exhausted, and that it was an unused deteriorating asset costing the authority money to maintain.
He also confirmed that Cadw had inspected the site with a view to listing it, but due to a lack of original features the conservation body had decided against it.
“Cadw do not deem it worth listing after inspection”, Cllr Pritchard said.
“We are not seeking demolition but disposal. We have a public duty to get the best value for it.”
In response to criticism of the plan for the site from Wynnstay Cllr Malcolm King (Lab) later in the meeting, Cllr Pritchard added: “We have a duty to get the best value for our assets. I always believe auction is the best way forward.”
The 110 year-old Ceiriog Valley based school shut its doors for the final time in July 2019 after the decision had been made by the authority to close it in 2018. The building has remained vacant since then.
The decision to close the school was made by members of the council’s ruling independent/Conservative administration due to dwindling pupil numbers, despite strong opposition from residents.
After the closure, the community was given a say on how the land should be used in the future, with the option of selling it to a social landlord to provide affordable housing being the preferred choice.
A report considered by the Executive Board confirmed the site had since been offered to Registered Social Landlords (RSL) to look at the potential development of the site for affordable housing.
They did receive one proposal from an RSL but this was deemed “unviable” by the council’s planning department, and the RSL decided the site was no longer of interest.
The recommendation to the Executive Board was to authorise the council’s Chief Housing Officer to negotiate terms and conditions with a view to selling on the open market.
Lead member for education, Brynyffynnon Cllr Phil Wynn (Ind) confirmed capital receipts from any sale would be reinvested in school improvements.
Local member, Ceiriog Cllr Trevor Bates (Ind) queried whether a bid could be made before the auction of the community group was able to match the valuation price.
He added: “I would hate to see another Groves School scenario unfolding in Pontfadog.”
He was told that it could be a possibility.
Ruabon Cllr Dana Davies (Lab) asked whether social housing could be built on the land instead, but was told by the council’s chief officer housing that it had been explored but there was “limited demand” for it in the area at the moment.
The Executive Board voted to follow the recommendation to put the site on the open market.
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