Planning permission has been granted for the Council to build a brand new 3-19 school for pupils with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) – a key milestone towards the delivery of this modern and exciting development in 2026.
Last year, Cabinet agreed to establish the County Borough’s fifth ALN school in an investment that responds to increasing learner numbers and the growing complexity of pupils’ needs. All the options to expand the four existing ALN schools have been explored, and it was concluded that the only feasible alternative to provide extra capacity is by building a new school. Its location was considered in a site appraisal process and The Pavilions in Clydach Vale, formerly the Council headquarters, was considered the most suitable option.
Demolition of the site was completed last year, while a local event was held in Clydach Vale during November 2024 for the community to find out more about the initial plans. This helped inform the Council’s final planning submission.
At its meeting on Thursday, March 6, the Planning and Development committee granted consent for the application, covering construction of the school and ancillary works. The Council can also confirm it has appointed Morgan Sindall Ltd as the main construction contractor, and construction is programmed to commence on March 31, 2025.
The new school will provide English Medium ALN facilities for 176 pupils, in a modern two-storey building. It will be built in the centre of the site, designed to meet ‘Net Zero’ Carbon in Operation standards – conforming to the Council and Welsh Government Climate Change commitments. Solar photovoltaic panels will be mounted to the roof, to help provide energy for the school’s use.
There will be 12 classrooms on the ground floor, along with a canteen and a hydrotherapy pool. The first floor will contain 11 classrooms and a wellbeing centre – with various multi-use spaces and supporting areas included across the two floors. A secure roof terrace will be included at the building’s southern side, with outdoor learning and play areas positioned around the building.
The existing site access from the unnamed road off Cambrian Industrial Estate will be retained, with a 79-space car park (plus EV charging points) included on site. A ‘drop-off/pick-up’ area will be provided, along with covered storage for bicycles. All trees and woodland surrounding the site will be retained, while a Sustainable Drainage System will be installed. The entire school site will be enclosed by an appropriate secure boundary fencing.
On Thursday, committee members agreed with officer recommendations in granting planning consent. The application was recommended for approval for several reasons – namely that the proposal would utilise a brownfield site that was previously occupied and accepted for development, and it would provide a much-needed modern ALN facility that will bring significant benefit to pupils within its catchment area. It would also provide a building that is attractive and modern in design and has no impact on residents nor highway safety.
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, said: “I’m delighted the Planning and Development Committee has granted full permission for the Council to provide a modern school for pupils with ALN in Clydach Vale. Considerable capacity pressures are currently being experienced across our four existing ALN schools, and these are only expected to grow in the future. This is why Cabinet agreed to provide a fifth ALN school for the County Borough as we look to provide extra capacity – and Thursday’s committee determination represents an important point of progress towards its delivery next year.
“In addition to this project, Cabinet also agreed in September 2024 to an extra investment in Tonyrefail and Ynysybwl, that will also respond to the growing demand and capacity pressures for ALN places. This will include establishing a new Early Years satellite base at the former Tonyrefail Community Centre building, along with creating extra pupil accommodation at Buarth y Capel by providing new classrooms and enhanced spaces, in a £5m project.
“The new ALN school in Clydach Vale will be accessible to all, catering for a wider range of needs and providing an innovative and engaging 21st Century learning environment. The Council will receive a 75% contribution towards the total project costs from Welsh Government to deliver the new school, via its Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. This continues our excellent recent track record of investment, which has recently delivered brand new school buildings for Penygawsi Primary, Pontyclun Primary, Llanilltud Faerdref Primary, and YGG Llyn y Forwyn – alongside a £79.9m investment across Greater Pontypridd in time for the current academic year.
“The Council will keep residents fully up-to-date with the next main steps towards delivering the new ALN school. Following Thursday’s planning decision and the appointment of a contractor to deliver the main construction phase, I’m looking forward to seeing this exciting project developed further. The Council will communicate with residents as it progresses towards the construction phase, which will start on site in Clydach Vale in due course.”
Robert Williams, Area Director at Morgan Sindall Construction in Wales, added: “Morgan Sindall Construction is delighted to be working in partnership with Rhondda Cynon Taf Council on this vital educational ALN School project in Clydach Vale. Securing planning approval marks a significant milestone in delivering this modern, purpose-built facility that will support pupils with Additional Learning Needs across the County Borough.
“This new school reflects our commitment to creating inclusive, cutting-edge learning environments that meet the evolving needs of the community. By transforming the site into a Net Zero Carbon facility, we are helping to build an educational infrastructure that will benefit generations to come.”
