A new primary school and thousands of new houses could be built on the site of a former open cast coal mine.
It's been confirmed that a state-of-the-art school could be built at the former Llanilid open cast site, in the Rhondaa Cynon Taf council area, as part of a huge 1,850-house development by Persimmon Homes.
The primary school will accommodate 540 places, and the plans also include the construction of a 60-place nursery.
Read more: Young couple who set up their own hairdressing salon named the best in Wales
The site has already welcomed some residents to their new properties at the site, and the first phase of work involved the construction of 1,850 houses in the area.
But, as a whole, the site has been earmarked to accommodate up to 5,000 houses in the future.
Persimmon has now re-submitted plans for the school, and local residents are able to comment on the proposals.
Planning permission is expected at the start of 2022, with clearance work at the site scheduled for the summer. The aim is for the school to open its doors in 2024.
Andy Edwards, managing director at Persimmon Homes West Wales, said: “We’re delighted to bringing this new school to the area as part of our work in Llanilid.
“This is a significant development so it is important that the correct infrastructure is put in place, which includes modern and appropriate education facilities. Working closely with Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, that is exactly what we will deliver.
“This development as a whole will completely regenerate the area, giving people a place to live, work and socialise.
“I’m really looking forward to watching the site progress in the years to come.”
Read more about the latest planning news in your area:
The full cost of the school is being met by Persimmon Homes as part of the housebuilder’s Community Infrastructure Levy obligations.
A district centre is also being constructed as part of the development, which could include facilities such as a pub and coffee shops.
Persimmon started work on the development off junction 35 of the M4 in mid-2019.
Demand in the new properties has been sky-high and the first occupants are already well settled.
The site was formerly a huge opencast mine and has long been designated by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council (RCT) as a key strategic development site.
The current phase of development at the Llanilid site is known as Milton Meadow.
There are two, three and four-bedroom homes available, with prices starting at £184,995.
Councillor Joy Rosser, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Inclusion Services, addedd: “The council is working closely with Persimmon to deliver the school, which will be built with the very high standards of our 21st Century Schools developments. “
For more information, visit www.persimmonhomes.com or call 01443 800 878.
