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Have your say on proposed Pontyclun Primary School investment

Pontyclun Primary School artist impression - the community can now have their say on the plans

Residents can now have their say on proposals to provide Pontyclun Primary School with a brand new building on its current site – using potential funding from Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools and Colleges Programme. 

In September 2020, Cabinet Members agreed the submission of an initial business case to secure funding from the Mutual Investment Model (MIM) – the revenue funding route for Band B of the 21st Century Schools Programme. The funding application process continues, and will be finalised during spring 2022.

If secured, the funding would replace existing buildings with new facilities at Pontyclun Primary, Llanilltud Faerdref Primary and Penygawsi Primary. The three schools are all within areas of rapid housing development and each require investment to be fully-accessible and to reach a 21st Century standard.

For Pontyclun Primary School, the proposal is to provide a new two-storey building to replace the existing accommodation, which includes temporary classrooms – the majority of which are in poor condition. The new building would open in 2023, and accommodate 480 pupils plus 60 nursery places. It is also targeted to be a building which is Net Zero Carbon in operation.

The development would deliver a vibrant learning environment for pupils, while also providing a number of community-use facilities. It would create new external facilities such as a car park, two-court Multi Use Games Area and generous green spaces – in contrast to the hard landscape of the current site.

The Council and its partner WEPCo Ltd are now jointly consulting residents over the plans, in a process which will remain open until November 24. This is a Pre Application Consultation, which will help further shape the plans and inform the Council’s final planning submission for formal consideration.

A dedicated webpage has been created to host the consultation, available to view here

The page contains more information about the proposals, with residents able to view draft planning documents and site location plans for the new building. Comments can be sent via email (pontyclunprimaryschool@arup.com) or by letter, using the postal address included on the consultation homepage.

Plans for the new building will also be on display at Pontyclun Community Library (at Heol-y-Felin, CF72 9BE) for the duration of the consultation. In addition, a public event will be organised to allow residents to ‘drop-in’, speak to Officers, view the plans, and have their say in person. Further details will be communicated on the Council’s website and social media in due course.

Councillor Joy Rosser, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Inclusion Services, said: “This consultation is allowing residents to find out more and provide feedback on the plans for Pontyclun Primary School – to deliver a new school building fit for the 21st Century, and a number of external and community facilities. The Council is continuing with the funding process, which could secure Welsh Government investment to provide a new modern learning environment which staff and pupils deserve.

“These are very exciting times in terms of our plans to further invest in 21st Century School facilities across Rhondda Cynon Taf in the coming years. Work got underway this summer to deliver £12.1m and £4.5m improvements at Ysgol Rhydywaun and YGG Aberdâr, while we also continue to progress an investment of more than £55m across the Greater Pontypridd area by 2024.

“Cabinet has also recently approved initial proposals to use additional Welsh Government funding for significant projects in Llanharry, Cymer, Glyn-coch, Penrhys, Llantwit Fardre and Talbot Green, along with a new special school. Alongside Pontyclun Primary, two separate MIM projects will also deliver investment at Llanilltud Faerdref Primary and Penygawsi Primary by 2023.

“There are many ways the community can have its say on plans for Pontyclun Primary School over the next few weeks. Residents can view information online and email or post their comments – while the plans are being displayed at Pontyclun Community Library and at a separate public event. I’d urge residents to take part to help inform the final plans for this exciting project.”

Posted on 28/10/2021