Following a Statutory Notice period, Cabinet has agreed to implement key proposals to prepare for the future education demand brought by the Llanilid housing development – including opening a brand new Welsh Medium primary school.
Cabinet gave the matter final consideration at their meeting on Wednesday, February 19, to which an officer report noted no objections had been received during the recent 28-day notice period – and therefore recommended that the proposals be implemented without amendment. The notice period was started in November 2024 after Cabinet agreed to progress the proposals that month.
Future education changes are essential to cater for a housing developer’s plan to build 1,850 homes on the former Llanilid open cast coal site, with 400 houses already built. Two main proposals have been brought forward by Council officers, shaped by Welsh Government’s Cymraeg 2050 Strategy and the Council’s own Welsh in Education Strategic Plan. They include:
- Establishing a new Welsh Medium primary school for 3-11 year-olds as part of the Llanilid housing development, with a capacity for 480 statutory school age pupils plus 60 nursery places.
- Changing the language medium of Dolau Primary School from dual-language to English Medium. It would have an increased capacity for 488 statutory age pupils plus 63 nursery places, delivered via small scale adaptations to repurpose current spaces.
The capital cost of the Welsh Medium school would be met by the Community Infrastructure Levy, plus investment via Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. Minor investment needed at Dolau Primary would be met by the Council. Any further funding needs, for example Home to School Transport costs, will be identified as the project progresses.
The new Welsh Medium school for Llanilid would have modern classrooms, fully accessible and flexible facilities, space for Additional Learning Needs interventions, and modern outdoor spaces will support the curriculum and improve traffic management.
Following Cabinet’s agreement on Wednesday, the proposals are now fully approved and will be delivered by no later than the 2027/28 academic year.
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, said: “It’s essential that the Council was proactive in bringing forward these primary age education changes, to prepare for the large development at Llanilid – which will essentially create a new community in this part of the County Borough and bring a major increase to the local population. A consultation held during the late summer and early autumn showed broad support for what is planned, which is why Cabinet agreed to progress the proposals to the Statutory Notice period in November.
“The changes will offer a great choice for families, no matter which language medium they choose. The new primary school will greatly improve upon the number of local Welsh Medium places and deliver education in a first-class facility, as we continue to support Welsh Government’s ‘Cymraeg 2050’ vision, and work towards our Welsh in Education Strategic Plan commitments. For children receiving English Medium education, the high-performing Dolau Primary School will be retained and invested in, to increase its capacity.
“The new Welsh Medium school for Llanilid will become the latest new facility the Council has delivered jointly with Welsh Government. In September, a £79.9m investment in Greater Pontypridd delivered new schools for Cilfynydd, Hawthorn and Rhydyfelin – while Llanilltud Faerdref Primary, Penygawsi Primary and YGG Llyn y Forwyn have received new main buildings in recent months. A similar investment for Pontyclun Primary is imminent, while we’ve recently received planning consent for a future new school in Glyn-coch.
“Officers reported to Cabinet on Wednesday that no objections were raised against the Llanilid school proposals in the recent Statutory Notice period – and Members agreed with recommendations to give final approval. This is a major milestone towards the projects’ future delivery. The Council will keep residents fully up-to-date with all of the main stages of the projects in the period ahead, with the changes earmarked for the 2027/28 academic year.”
Posted on 26/02/2025