Residents can now take part in a planning consultation for the new Pontypridd 3-16 school planned for the Pontypridd High School site – and the process includes a community drop-in session at the school next week.
The new 3-16 school is part of the Council’s £75.6m investment in brand new education facilities across Greater Pontypridd – with major projects being developed in Hawthorn, Cilfynydd, Beddau and Rhydyfelin. The investment is being jointly delivered with Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, formerly the 21st Century Schools Programme.
The new Pontypridd 3-16 school will welcome learners currently attending Cilfynydd Primary School and Pontypridd High School in September 2024 – and the development will invest around £15m in the existing high school site.
Subject to planning permission being secured, the project will create a brand new primary school area along with a new 3G sports pitch and a Multi Use Games Area (MUGA). Elements of the school’s main building will be refurbished as part of the wider development, and the school car park will be reconfigured.
The Council has appointed Asbri Planning Ltd to undertake a Pre-Application Consultation in respect of the elements of the project that require planning permission. These include demolishing the caretaker house, altering the car park, and providing the 3G sports pitch, the new play areas and flood lighting.
Residents can now find out more and have their say on Asbri Planning’s website. The consultation ends on Thursday, April 6.
The website contains key documents relating to the proposed development which can be accessed in full, including site plans. The feedback received will help inform the Council’s final planning application, which will be submitted for the Planning and Development Committee’s consideration at a future date.
Residents can have their say by emailing [email protected] or via post, using the postal address included on the consultation homepage.
Residents are also welcome to visit a community drop-in event at Pontypridd High School at any time between 3pm and 6pm on Tuesday, March 28. Council officers will introduce the project and answer queries about the plans.
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Youth Participation and the Welsh Language, said: “The new Pontypridd 3-16 school is one of the exciting developments included in the £75.6m investment in education for Greater Pontypridd. It continues our commitment to deliver first-class education facilities right across our County Borough, jointly with the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.
“Plans for the Pontypridd 3-16 school would invest £15m to improve the high school site in Cilfynydd – creating a new primary area, as well as a new 3G sports pitch and a MUGA. The car park would be reconfigured and elements of the current school building would be refurbished, delivering 21st Century facilities that the community can be proud of. The new primary area will aim to achieve Net Zero carbon in operation, conforming to our Climate Change commitments.
“You can now have your say on the project in a Pre Application Consultation, and I urge interested members of the public to do so before the process ends on April 6. Everyone is also welcome to attend the community event arranged at Pontypridd High School on March 28. We’ve held similar events for school investment projects in the past, and they were very helpful to introduce each scheme to the community and answer any questions that residents have.”
