Planning consent has now been secured by the Council for its exciting multi-million pound investment to extend and refurbish the Buarth y Capel satellite site of Ysgol Ty Coch, located in Ynysybwl. Staff and pupils at this Additional Learning Needs setting will be provided with a first-class development by the end of 2027.
The planning application was granted by the Planning and Development Committee at their meeting on Thursday, August 13. Members considered the plans and granted full permission, following officer recommendations.
Buarth y Capel is a satellite site of Ysgol Ty Coch, one of the Council’s four Additional Learning Needs (ALN) schools. The site focuses on provision for learners aged 14-19 with a diagnosis of severe or profound Autistic Spectrum Disorder, who require a bespoke provision beyond the generic ALN school criteria. The multi-million pound proposals will ensure that the current site can continue to meet the educational needs of these pupils into the future.
The planning permission covers construction of a stand-alone teaching block with six classrooms, breakout rooms, hygiene room facilities, accessible toilets, and a maintenance store/plant room. The new single-storey building will be constructed to 21st Century standards, and located on the eastern side of the existing school. The two buildings will be linked by a canopy walkway.
Associated works will include providing photovoltaic panels on the south-facing roof, a soft play area, a new 18-space car park to the north of the site with four accessible spaces, a covered 6-bay cycle shelter, new security fencing, and access control gates. The site will be refigured to include a one-way vehicle access route, while an existing classroom building will be removed.
Initial proposals were shared with the community earlier this year, including a face-to-face event in early February 2026, held at the school by the project team to explain the proposals and answer questions. All feedback received during this engagement activity helped shape the final planning application.
In recommending the application for approval, officers noted the new building would provide a much-needed ‘Net Zero carbon in operation’ ALN facility, that would assist the Council in meeting its statutory duties associated with the growth of pupils within Rhondda Cynon Taf requiring ALN placements.
Their report added that the building would be modern and attractive in design. The site landscaping would enhance the environment around the school, while the proposed revisions would improve traffic management inside and outside of the school site, as well as the school’s parking arrangements.
The investment will be delivered in partnership with Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. EPT was the appointed architect to design the building, while Knox and Wells is the appointed contractor to deliver the building. Securing planning permission is a key milestone for the project to be progressed towards its construction phase.
Councillor Sharon Rees, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Young People, said: “It’s fantastic news that the major investment for the Buarth y Capel satellite site has secured planning consent, with the project now able to progress. We know that the number of learners requiring an ALN school placement has increased and is projected to grow further, while pupils’ needs are becoming more complex. For these reasons, we’re investing in ALN schools across the County Borough, with Thursday’s planning decision a key milestone in our proposals for Ynysybwl and surrounding communities.
“The satellite site at Buarth y Capel has already benefited from refurbished rooms and new specialist therapy areas in recent years, in addition to the upcoming new block. At the same time, the Council will soon be creating its fifth ALN school, with the brand new Ysgol Cambrian in Clydach Vale on course to open during the 2026/27 autumn term – as the building’s construction progresses very well. Meanwhile, in September 2025, Maesgwyn Special School in Cwmdare received a £1.5 million extension, comprising new facilities and modern spaces – while a new Early Years ALN setting was opened in Tonyrefail.
“The Buarth y Capel project will become the latest to be delivered jointly with Welsh Government, with whom we have an excellent track record. A huge £79.6 million investment across four of our mainstream schools in Greater Pontypridd was delivered in 2024 and 2025 – along with brand new buildings delivered in Pontyclun, Llantrisant, Church Village and Ferndale. We’re now moving onto the next tranche of school investments, under a £414 million funding commitment with Welsh Government over the years ahead. This includes Ysgol Cambrian and Ysgol Glyn-Coch in the months ahead, and future investments at Ysgol Cwm Rhondda in Cymer and Ysgol Llanhari.
“Officers will now further progress the Buarth y Capel project, with the next milestone being the start of construction on site. This will include very close working with our contractor and the school, to ensure the works progress with minimal disruption to pupils’ learning. The Council will publish an update in due course, outlining the start of works. I’d like to thank residents in Ynysybwl for their cooperation, along with the wider school community who attended our engagement session earlier in the year, to help us develop the final plans.”
Find out more about the Council's significant ongoing investment in Education through the dedicated #TransformingRCT webpages.
Posted on 20/08/2026