Welsh school closure 'will see immigrants buying the houses’

COUNCILLOR SAYS DECISION WOULD TURN VILLAGE INTO‘A FOREIGN PLACE’

- By DALE SPRIDGEON

THE closure of a primary school will deter Welsh-speaking families and see “immigrants buying houses and making the village a foreign place,’ a councillor has said.

The comments were in response to Cyngor Gwynedd’s Cabinet's proposal to close two primary schools, Ysgol Nebo and Ysgol Baladeulyn, in Dyffryn Nantlle.

There will be a statutory consultation on the bid to axe the schools on December 31, 2026, with Ysgol Nebo pupils moving to Ysgol Llanllyfni, and Ysgol Baladeulyn to Ysgol Talysarn, both from January 1, 2027 onwards.

The matter will come before the council's Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, October 14.

A report noted that there had been “a significant and consistent reduction” in numbers at Ysgol Nebo, and a “substantial and sustained drop” at Ysgol Baladeulyn.

But Llanllyfni councillor Peter Thomas expressed his opposition in the starkest terms. He said: “It is a great disappointment to read the decision of the education department on the proposed proposal to close Ysgol Baladeulyn, on December 31, 2026.

“The Nantlle community will be very sad to hear this recommendation.