Residents can now view initial plans and have their say on the proposed new primary school for Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llyn y Forwyn in Ferndale, in a consultation which also includes a local public exhibition.
In September 2021, Cabinet gave formal approval for the Council to deliver the building via Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme by 2024. It will be built on land north of Highland (known as the former ‘Chubb Factory’), with staff and pupils benefitting from a brand new learning environment. The current school has a backlog of maintenance of more than £1m, with limited opportunities to expand the site’s facilities.
The new school building will expand the local Welsh Medium primary offer – and will include modern, flexible and accessible facilities with community use. Enhanced outdoor spaces will support the delivery of all curriculum activities, while a staff car park and bus drop-off point will also be provided on site. The new building will also be Net Zero Carbon in operation, supporting the Council and Welsh Government’s climate change commitments.
KEW Planning is now hosting a Pre Application Consultation where residents can find out more about the initial plans for the development. Residents can have their say on the draft proposals, to help inform the Council’s future submission to the Planning and Development Committee for consideration.
Draft planning documents, along with additional information and a video fly-through of the development, can be viewed on the consultation homepage here. Hard copies of the documents are available in Ferndale Library at The Hwb, North Road.
Residents are also welcome to attend a community event at the Youth Wing of Ferndale Community School on Wednesday, July 6 (3pm-6pm), to meet the project team, find out more about the plans and have their say in person.
The consultation ends on Tuesday, July 26, and feedback can be submitted via the KEW Planning website. Residents can also write via letter to the postal address included on the website, or via email: [email protected].
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Youth Participation and the Welsh Language, said: “The community can now have their say on the multi-million pound plans to deliver a brand new school development for Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llyn y Forwyn. The new school was formally agreed by Cabinet in 2021, and will be delivered with a 65% contribution from the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, as the Council continues its excellent track record of delivering the very best facilities for pupils in partnership with Welsh Government.
“The new school would create a learning environment that staff and pupils can be proud of, helping to better deliver all aspects of the curriculum. It would replace the existing Victorian buildings which have a low grade of condition, and have very limited opportunities to expand upon their facilities at their current location. The new, larger site can host 21st Century buildings along with much-improved outdoor learning spaces and pick up/drop off areas.
“The new school will increase the Welsh Medium primary offer locally, while helping to deliver the outcomes in the Council’s updated Welsh in Education Strategic Plan. It will also help the Council further contribute towards Welsh Government’s ‘Cymraeg 2050’ ambition of a million Welsh speakers.
“The community and key stakeholders were consulted about the proposals for the new school in early 2021, and an overwhelming majority of respondents agreed with the investment – which was a key consideration when Cabinet gave its formal approval. Residents can now view all of the draft plans and planning documents on the consultation website – as well as in person at Ferndale Library, or the public event at Ferndale Community Centre next Wednesday.
“I urge residents to find out more and have their say over the next four weeks, with all feedback then being considered by Council officers to help shape the formal planning submission, which will be made in due course.”
