Refurbishment of Ysgol Calon Cymru - Builth Wells Campus, Powys, Mid Wales

Powys County Council intends to procure the construction works required to create a new Welsh-medium all-age school, Ysgol Bro Epynt, providing accommodation for 210 pupils together with Early Years and Additional Learning Needs (ALN) facilities. The school will be established within the existing occupied Ysgol Calon Cymru, Builth Campus, College Road, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3BW. The proposed works comprise alteration and refurbishment of areas within three existing buildings, minor demolition works, construction of two small extensions, together with associated external works and landscaping. The site is located within a Conservation Area, although the existing buildings are not listed. The design is being developed by the Council to RIBA Work Stage 4 and it is currently proposed that the works will be procured on a traditional basis using the JCT Intermediate Building Contract with Contractor's Design 2024. Contractor-designed elements are anticipated to include trussed roof members, two platform lifts, a solar photovoltaic system and elements of the mechanical and electrical installations, including interfaces with existing systems while the remaining school buildings continue to operate. The Council's key programme requirement is for Ysgol Bro Epynt to be operational from 1 September 2028. The Early Years and ALN facilities may be capable of completion at a later date, subject to the contractor's proposed programme. The Council is therefore considering the use of sectional completion provisions to secure completion of the areas necessary for the school to open by September 2028, with the remaining works completed by no later than 31 March 2029. Conservation Area Planning Consent is required in relation to the demolition and extension works to one of the buildings, with an application expected to be submitted by the Council in January 2027. The remaining works do not require planning consent. The scheme has been designed to achieve an energy efficiency performance of 15% above current Building Regulations requirements. A Building Regulations application is expected to be submitted by the Council in January 2027. BREEAM certification and a Net Zero Carbon in Operation assessment are not required.