Residents of Llandrillo, near Corwen, are celebrating after receiving a £15,000 grant to carry out a study into the future of the old school in the village, which was closed in 2014.

Denbighshire County Council closed Llandrillo school as part of the council’s school reorganisation plans and the old school has remained empty since then. Villagers were strongly opposed to the school closure and were unhappy that a key community resource was left to deteriorate.

Councillor Mabon ap Gwynfor called a public meeting earlier this year for the community to develop plans for the building to benefit the community. A new community group of volunteers was formed and have since worked tirelessly to develop potential options for the building.

The community group secured grant funding from Cadwyn Clwyd, with contribution funds from Grwp Cynefin and Denbighshire County Council, and have appointed award-winning consultants Arcadis to help further develop the options and a business plan for the old school.

David Robinson, on behalf of the community group, said: “We’ve been looking for an opportunity to develop the school as a community enterprise since its closure. We now have an opportunity to see what options are available, and bring the community together to develop something that would benefit Llandrillo.

"We are grateful to the funders for their generosity in funding this study, and are excited at the prospect of working with Arcadis to see what ideas might best suit Llandrillo and the old school building.”

Cllr ap Gwynfor said: “We’re fortunate in Llandrillo that we have so many talented and skilful people who are community minded and willing to assist on projects that will benefit the village. The community spirit is wonderful, and the fact that the so many people have come together to discuss the future of the old school is testament to that goodwill and spirit.

"We're looking to develop ideas that will stand up as a successful enterprise, that would create employment and contribute to the local economy. The old school is in a prime location in the village and is steeped in history.

"Llandrillo is the seventh most deprived area in Wales for access to services and is in the top 10% for poor physical environment. It’s clear we need to utilise this valuable asset that we have for the benefit of Llandrillo residents.”