A NEW school to replace primaries at Talgarth and Bronllys could be open by 2018.

Powys County Council’s cabinet is being advised to acquire the freehold for land at Hay Road, Talgarth long earmarked as a potential school site.

As part of the process of preparing to open a new school the independent cabinet is set to begin a consultation on closing both Talgarth Primary School and Bronllys Primary at the end of this year.

Though both schools would officially close on December 31 and a new school established from January pupils would remain in their existing classrooms as it would operate from both Talgarth and Bronllys school buildings until the purpose built school is ready.

A report, which will go before the cabinet’s Tuesday, January 26 meeting, said it is "anticipated" the new building will be ready by 2018.

Talgarth county councillor William Powell, who is also the Mid and West Wales Liberal Democrat AM, said he was pleased to see the plans progress.

He said: "I strongly welcome the proposals. The extended lead up time has created a degree of scepticism locally as to the prospects of this project being delivered.

"Whilst these proposals mark a key milestone in this historic project, I would urge the county council to make a positive communications effort to engage the local communities, to keep them informed."

The plan is part of the council’s Gwernyfed catchment area modernisation proposals which won Welsh Government backing in the autumn.

The council also proposes building new primaries at Hay-on-Wye, Clyro, Llyswen and Llangors.

It must still submit a full business case to the Welsh Government later this year.

A consultation on closing Talgarth and Bronllys schools was run in 2012 but the consultation has lapsed and the council must re-run the consultation.

The report also confirms the council has concluded negotiations with the private owner of the land at Hay Road and the cabinet will be asked to approve the council acquiring the freehold of the land via an option agreement.

The option agreement is a legal contract binding both parties. The council will be able acquire the site at a pre-agreed fee so long as it can gain planning permission for community use and funding from the Welsh Government is secured.