March 2025 - Enabling Works
Initial enabling works started on site at the end of March, with the main construction works due to commence shortly after.
January 2025 – Planning Consent
On 30th January 2025, full planning consent was granted for the project enabling active progress to be made. Works are anticipated to start on site in the spring.
October 2024 – Full Planning Submission
This major milestone marked the final step in the design process prior to construction. It was the culmination of two years of hard work by the project team, working closely with the staff and pupils of Cefn and Craig-Yr-Hesg primary schools and the wider community of Glyn-coch.
Summer 2024 – PAC Process
The Pre-Planning Application Consultation (PAC) process was held from 20th June until 18th July 2024, offering residents an opportunity to view the new school plans in detail and have their say on the proposals ahead of the formal planning submission.
Public drop-in sessions and dedicated engagement sessions were held with pupils at both schools to ensure children and the wider community could have their say in person.
Pupils had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the new building design using VR headsets!
A digital ‘flythrough’ of the new school was also made available for those not able to attend in person.
February 2024 – Contractor Appointment
Willmott Dixon were appointed to oversee the design process up to construction.
Summer 2023 – Project Initiation
Council officers and Stride Treglown architects met with staff and pupils from Cefn and Craig-Yr-Hesg primary schools to kickstart the design process.
A Community Stakeholder Forum was established as part of the project’s commitment to fully engaging the schools and the wider community in the design process. See our Working with the School Communities page for more information.
April 2023 - Approval to Proceed
Glyn-coch was selected by Welsh Government as one of three successful projects approved to proceed to the next stage of the Challenge, allowing us to begin the design process.
September 2022 – The Funding Bid
The Welsh Government invited all local authorities in Wales to submit a new primary school project for consideration under the Sustainable Schools Challenge, an initiative that offered funding to projects that embody environmental sustainability and stakeholder engagement throughout all stages of the design, build and operation.
The Council and its architects, Stride Treglown, engaged with the existing schools and members of the community from the outset to develop our project vision:
‘To create an educational, community and wellbeing hub which unifies Glyn-coch, meets local needs, and fulfils the aspirations of learners and the community.’
January to June 2022 – Statutory School Organisation Consultation
A statutory consultation process was undertaken on proposals to amalgamate Cefn and Craig-Yr-Hesg primary schools and open a brand new English medium community primary school by September 2026. The new school was proposed to serve the existing schools’ combined catchment areas and be located on the current Craig yr Hesg Primary site and the land adjacent to it. The consultation process culminated in the Council’s Cabinet approving the proposals on 22nd June 2022.