Plans to establish a new Welsh-language school have been green-lit. Ysgol Calon Cymru in Builth Wells, Powys, will educate pupils aged four to 18.

Ysgol Calon Cymru, currently a bilingual secondary comprehensive, already has a campus in Builth Wells and another in Llandrindod Wells. Education provision will be split so that by 2029 the Builth Wells campus will be a Welsh-medium school and the Llandrindod Wells campus an English-medium one.

The proposal was unanimously approved by members of Powys council's Liberal Democrat and Labour cabinet in an attempt to plug a gap in Welsh-medium education in Radnorshire. Cabinet member for education, Lib Dem Pete Roberts, said: "This is the result of two years' extensive work."

Plaid Cymru group leader Elwyn Vaughan, for Glantwymyn, said the new school would mean fewer children having to travel long distances for secondary Welsh-medium education at Ystalyfera. Powys Independent councillor Gareth E Jones, for Llanelwedd, broadly welcomed the proposal but raised concerns about the “lack” of a strategic plan to deliver Welsh-medium education in the Brecknockshire area.

Speaking about the importance of preserving the Welsh language Cllr Vaughan said there is more to being Welsh than supporting the national rugby team for 80 minutes on a few occasions each year. And Powys Independent councillor Beverley Baynham, for Presteigne, praised the plan but added: "Please don’t forget us over here in Presteigne and Knighton because we are part of this catchment."