Home » Plans for new ‘net zero’ school to replace two existing primaries in Glyncoch approved

Plans for new ‘net zero’ school to replace two existing primaries in Glyncoch approved

An idea of how the new school planned in Glyncoch could look (Pic: RCT Council)

PLANS for a new school to replace two existing primaries in a South Wales village have been approved.

An application for the demolition of Craig yr Hesg Primary School in Glyncoch and the construction of a two-storey replacement was given the green light at Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) Council’s planning committee on Thursday, January 30.

The application, which also includes the site of the former Ty Gwyn Education Centre in Cefn Lane, would also include community facilities, car parking, multi-use games areas (MUGAs) and playgrounds.

It will be a “net zero” school and will replace both Craig yr Hesg and also Cefn Primary School.

The planning report said it will provide modern teaching facilities and two learning support classrooms for up to 300 pupils, a 45 place nursery and a 30-place Welsh medium childcare facility. A total of 52 members of staff would be employed at the site.

Currently, the two schools, which are operated under one senior leadership team and as one school, despite being known locally by two different names, have a total number of 313 pupils (178 at Cefn Primary School and 135 at Craig yr Hesg) and 30 members of staff.

Two MUGAs and grass pitch play areas would be provided to the south-east of the proposed new building, with further play areas and outdoor teaching spaces, including community growing gardens, to the north and south.

Vehicle and pedestrian access will be via an existing entrance point off Cefn Lane, with pedestrians also able to use an existing footpath to the west of the site.

The car park will have 43 spaces including five accessible electric vehicle charging bays, plus a commercial vehicle space for servicing. There will be four drop-off bays for the learning support classes only.

Drop-off and pick-up for parents will be from Cefn Lane, as per the current arrangement.

online casinos UK

Community use of the facilities is proposed until 6.30pm from Monday to Friday, although the report said it was suggested this was likely to evolve as demand became clearer.

There was one letter of objection which raised concerns that the proposed entrance was dangerous to pupils with parents delivering and collecting their children, and about traffic flow on the section of Cefn Lane, which is a main route for buses and residents.

Concern was also raised that the highway was narrowed by residents parking on Cefn Lane and there would be an increase in the number of vehicles due to an increase in pupil numbers.

The objector also raised concern the proposal provided insufficient parking facilities and suggested the waste ground bordering Craig yr Hesg Primary School and the B4723 be used as a drop-off and collection point for  parents/pupils and extra parking for staff and visitors.

The objector said the auction rooms on Cefn Lane attracted many patrons with vehicles seeking to park close to the new entrance and existing housing and they said surface water would run off into the new school premises as the present kerb line would be reduced in height.

Concern was also raised the community amenities would offer longer hours after school times which would impact on neighbours’ wellbeing if the constant flow of people/vehicles to and from the school continued into the evening.

The objector said residents adjacent to the school already experienced nuisance disruption and littering problems.

Councillor Doug Williams, the local councillor, said he fully supports the application saying it is something required in Glyncoch and most people welcome it, adding it would be a “flagship” for the borough.

He said he would like to see parking restrictions for loading and unloading, and air quality monitors installed in the school in relation to the nearby quarry.

Councillor Loretta Tomkinson said the replacement of an old school is a “step forward”, meaning improved safety, modern technology and update classrooms.

Councillor Ross Williams said he thinks it’s wonderful and they should give young learners the best environment to thrive in.

In recommending approval, planning officers said: “The application proposes a replacement school at a long-established primary school site within the settlement boundary for Glyncoch. The principle of development is therefore considered acceptable.

“The new building and its associated development will bring a state-of-the-art facility to Glyncoch which will be of significant benefit to the pupils of the catchment area and also, due to the proposed community use of the facility, to local residents in the area.

“The proposed works would result a significant alteration to the current layout and appearance of the site; however, it is considered that the new building will form a marked improvement to the existing visual amenity of the site.

“Further, it is not considered the new building, or the wider development proposed, would result in a significant increase to impacts already experienced by neighbouring residents or to highway safety in the locality.”

The plans also include an improved access, landscaping, drainage works, sprinkler tank, plant and associated engineering works.

Author