Protesters will be gathering in Brecon tomorrow morning to continue to show their anger at the changing spaces at the town’s new library and restored museum.

The group will be meeting at the monument on The Bulwark in Brecon at 11am to follow on from the protest earlier this week.

Around 40 protesters gathered at the gateway to y Gaer’s car park, which is just off Glamorgan Street, with placards and books on Monday after they said they discovered that the resources for children and young adults had been dismantled.

From looking through the new cultural hub’s windows near the car park, protesters said they could see that furniture and bookshelves from both the children’s library and the young adults’ learning area at y Gaer have been stripped out and moved to the middle section.

The protesters said they are concerned that Powys County Council is preparing to offer the spaces to the NPTC College Group, however a spokeswoman from the group said that while discussions are on-going, “nothing has been decided”.

William Gibbs of Llangynidr, who organised the Monday protest, said: “You can see where bookshelves were put up and they’ve been torn from the walls.

“On this side there was going to be the young adults’ learning centre and the part down the far end was going be the children’s library.

“All the furniture and bookshelves have just sort of been jumbled in the central section and it looks like the aim is to fit it all back into that central section.”

"You can see this was the children's reading area. So having spent the money to build it, it feels like a waste because they've just dismantled it again. Two thirds have been cleared."

Mr Gibbs said Powys County Council have not said why they have moved it all.

The cultural hub was supposed to open last year and then in March this year however it is still closed for redevelopment.

The proposal of bringing NPTC in to y Gaer as Powys County Council’s partners was put forward in July to help the “future financial stability.” Costs have grown to £14.2 million – over £5 million more than expected.

A Powys spokesman said that plans to enhance y Gaer by including partner organisations are still be considered by the council.

While no final decision has been made, he said the council had been in discussion with one potential partner and that it is in discussions of interest from others.

In a joint statement Cabinet Members Independent Cllr Rachel Powell and Conservatives Cllr Phyl Davies said: “We announced this summer that we were in discussion with Brecon Beacons College, part of the NPTC Group of Colleges, to potentially expand the range of opportunities delivered from the building.

“Although initial discussions have been positive no final agreement has been made and we are inviting expressions of interest from other organisations who may want to partner with the county council in this exciting facility.

“We are nearing the end of construction work, with the final stone cladding panels scheduled for installation.

“The project team are working hard to fit out the museum and exhibition spaces, with artefacts being installed, displays set up and art being put in place ready for the final addition of digital interpretations.

“Work is ongoing within the building to set up the shelving and work spaces required for a dedicated children’s space, room for study and research, as well as the general public library offer.

“Once that has been finished we will be able to relocate the library from its existing facility in Ship Street and plan for the building’s opening.”

When asked about the two sections being dismantled, the councillors said: “The final internal configuration of the facility will depend on the partners involved at y Gaer and no final decision has been made.

“It is unlikely that the cabinet will consider any firm proposals until November at the earliest.

“We understand that concerns have been raised about the children’s library within y Gaer and can confirm that there is no intention of removing this important space.

“We appreciate the delay getting the facility open is frustrating but it is important that the future configuration and use of this wonderful facility is carefully planned and future proofed. We want it to be a real asset for Brecon and Powys.”

See this week’s edition of The Brecon & Radnor Express for the full story – on sale now.