Initial proposals to use 21st Century Schools investment to deliver a brand new building for Llanilltud Faerdref Primary School by autumn 2023 can now be viewed online – and will also be displayed in the community over the next four weeks.
The school in Llantwit Fardre could soon benefit from significant funding via Welsh Government’s 21stCentury Schools and Colleges Programme, and residents can give feedback on proposals to construct the new school building on the current school site. The consultation ends on November 24.
The funding application process for the project will be finalised in spring 2022 alongside similar projects for Pontyclun Primary and Penygawsi Primary. It follows Cabinet’s agreement last year to submit an initial business case to secure Mutual Investment Model (MIM) funding for the three projects – in the revenue funding route for Band B of the 21st Century Schools Programme.
All three schools are within areas of rapid housing development and require investment to be fully-accessible and brought up to a 21st Century standard.
For Llanilltud Faerdref Primary, the proposed investment would provide a single-storey new-build to replace the school’s current building and temporary accommodation which are in a poor condition. The project would target Net Zero Carbon in operation and increase the school’s capacity to 240 pupils plus 30 nursery places – to meet the forecasted rise in demand locally.
The new building would provide a vibrant 21st Century learning environment for staff and pupils, while some of the facilities will also be available to be enjoyed by the wider community. Externally, the development will include a two-court Multi Use Games Area, a new playing field and a car park.
The current consultation is being hosted jointly by the Council and its partner WEPCo Ltd, who are inviting the community to get involved. The exercise is a Pre Application Consultation, allowing all feedback received to be used to further shape the plans before they are submitted for formal consideration by the Planning and Development committee.
The plans will also be displayed at Garth Olwg Lifelong Learning Centre (St Illtyds Road, Church Village, CF38 1BT) for the duration of the consultation. A local public ‘drop-in’ event is also being finalised, which will enable residents to view the proposals, find out more, and ask any questions to Officers. The Council will communicate the arrangements for this local event in due course.
Councillor Joy Rosser, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Inclusion Services, said: “The Council has now started public engagement exercises for all three of its proposed MIM projects, which hope to utilise significant 21st Century Schools funding to deliver new facilities for schools in Llantwit Fardre, Llantrisant and Pontyclun. The initial plans for Llanilltud Faerdref Primary School are being displayed at the Garth Olwg Lifelong Learning Centre – while residents can also currently take part online.
“Providing brand new education facilities to even more pupils continues to be a Council priority, to give our young people more opportunities in their education – while also improving community facilities through this investment. This summer, our latest two schemes at Ysgol Rhydywaun and YGG Aberdâr got underway, to deliver respective £12.1m and £4.5m projects in 2022.
“Several other schemes are also being planned right across Rhondda Cynon Taf. Most recently, Cabinet agreed to progress new proposals utilising an extra £85m from Welsh Government – with projects in Llanharry, Glyn-coch, Cymer, Penrhys, Llantwit Fardre and Talbot Green, along with a new special school, now being developed. This is on top of an investment of more than £55m in several communities across the Greater Pontypridd area by 2024.
“I’d urge all interested residents to take part in the consultation for Llanilltud Faerdref Primary School before next month’s deadline on November 24. It presents a chance for the community to find out more and ask any questions they may have. Now that Covid-19 restrictions allow, officers are currently finalising plans for a local face-to-face event where residents can discuss any aspect of the plans – and this event will be publicised by the Council shortly.”
A dedicated webpage is now hosting the consultation, which is available to view here
Members of the public can visit this page in order to access more information, including the draft planning documents and site location plans for the new building. Comments can be sent via letter using the postal address included on the webpage, or via email to [email protected].
