Powys County Council has taken a decisive step towards replacing the current Ysgol Calon Cymru facility in Llandrindod Wells by appointing Kier Construction Western & Wales as the preferred design and build contractor. The move is a key milestone in the council’s wider Transforming Education programme, which seeks to improve learner outcomes by investing in modern, sustainable school buildings across Powys.
Plans aim to create modern, sustainable learning facilities
Under the terms of the appointment, Kier will work closely with the council, school leaders, governors and other local stakeholders to develop detailed plans for the replacement school. The next stage of the project is a focused period of design work, during which the firm will translate the council’s ambitions for high-quality learning and wellbeing spaces into concrete proposals.
The council says the project will support its vision for a Stronger, Fairer, Greener Powys by delivering a building intended to meet the needs of current and future generations of learners in mid Powys, while also contributing to wider community benefits.
- Contractor appointed: Kier Construction Western & Wales
- Project stage: Detailed design phase
- Local benefits: Improved learning environments and community facilities
Local leaders welcome the development
Councillor James Gibson‑Watt, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, described the appointment as an important step in delivering a new school building for Ysgol Calon Cymru and as another milestone in the county’s education strategy.
"By investing in modern, sustainable learning environments, we are helping to improve learner experiences and outcomes while ensuring our school estate is fit for the future,"
He added that the scheme would bring lasting benefits to learners, staff and the wider community, and said the authority looked forward to working with Kier, governors and stakeholders as the detailed design work progresses.
Councillor Gareth Jones, Chair of the Governing Body at Ysgol Calon Cymru, said the governing body were very pleased with the appointment and looked forward to collaborating on the design of the replacement building over the coming 18 months.
What happens next
The project will move into a concentrated design phase, during which Kier and the council will develop detailed plans that respond to educational needs, sustainability aims and the local context around Llandrindod Wells. While precise timelines for construction are not set out in the announcement, governors noted the next 18 months will be an active period for detailed design work.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Contractor | Kier Construction Western & Wales |
| Project phase | Detailed design (approx. 18 months for design collaboration) |
| Key objectives | Modern, sustainable learning environment; support teaching, learning and wellbeing |
For residents of Llandrindod Wells, a new school building could mean improved facilities for pupils, potential community use of modern spaces and an asset that supports recruitment and retention of staff. The council’s emphasis on sustainability also signals an attempt to align educational infrastructure with broader environmental priorities.
As design work progresses, local people and parents can expect engagement from the council and school governors about specific proposals, timescales and how the new building will serve both the school and the wider community. The appointment of a contractor marks the transition from planning intention to active design — a phase in which local voices can help shape the outcome.
This development forms part of Powys’s programme to transform its school estate. Its proponents say investment in high‑quality educational buildings will help improve learner experiences and outcomes across the county, starting with projects such as the Ysgol Calon Cymru replacement in Llandrindod Wells.
