The decision to close Ysgol Abersoch has taken a further twist after being called in for scrutiny by a key council committee.

Last month cabinet rubber-stamped the closure despite a campaign to keep it open and concerns about the impact it would have on Welsh language and culture in the popular seaside village.

Unusually, the school educates children only to the end of Year Three, before moving pupils to Ysgol Sarn Bach for the remainder of their primary education. With just seven pupils, the school costs the authority £17,404 per pupil compared to the county average of £4,198.

Ysgol Sarn Bach, 1.4 miles away, is ready to receive the children from January, with transport already provided from the village, but the decision has now been called into question by one Llais Gwynedd and two independent councillors, with a further debate to take place next week.

The Education and Economy Scrutiny Committee has no power to overturn the decision but can refer it back to cabinet if members find the issues raised to be valid.

The issues raised include claims the report is “inaccurate and misleading in terms of the impact on the community”, as well as the Welsh language.

It also claims, future local housing and employment have not been taken into consideration, including construction of a new hotel creating 40 jobs and land earmarked for 15 new homes at Bryn Garmon.

There are also concerns over the footpath between Abersoch and Sarn Bach, and claims one child is ineligible for free transport due to age.

They also question the decision to close the school in the middle of the academic year, claiming it will be “confusing for the children” and result in a “negative impact on their education”.

Pressure group Cymdeithas yr Iaith had condemned the decision to close the school, accusing the authority of “undermining its own housing and language policies by abandoning Abersoch”.

Spokesman Ffred Ffransis added: “This is sending a clear signal to other communities under stress that the council is not prepared to stand up for them.

“The council’s own assessments acknowledged that closing the school would have a negative impact on the Welsh language and the community, yet they have ignored them.

“They have betrayed this vulnerable community and undermined their hopes of using the school as a basis for the revival of the Welsh language locally.”

While it was suggested that the Ti a Fi nursery group could be retained in Abersoch even after the school’s closure, cabinet member Dafydd Meurig said: “The damage has largely been done by years of inward migration and the use of so many second homes.”

Officers also pointed to the fact that of the 26 eligible children living in the catchment area, 21 were being educated at schools other than Abersoch.

The Education and Economy Scrutiny Committee will discuss the report when it meets next Thursday, October 21.