Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has granted planning permission to develop the Hawthorn High and Hawthorn Primary school site by 2024. The multi-million pound education facility was approved at the Planning and Development Committee meeting on Thursday, July 7.
The approved application will allow the demolition of three buildings, which will be replaced with the new 21st Century building and the other on site buildings will be refurbished. The new two storey building will be built directly south of and linked to, the existing primary school building.
It will have 11 classrooms on the ground floor and 16 classrooms on the first floor. The building will also include a staff room, offices, reception area, toilets, therapy room, library, ICT suite, meeting rooms, DT and music areas, hygiene rooms, multi-use rooms and storage areas.
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Two new Multi Use Games Areas will be built in addition to the school’s one existing facility and the all-weather pitch will be retained. There will also be 35 visitor parking, pick up and drop off spaces, 17 community parking spaces near the swimming pool and 84 spaces for staff parking.
“I’m very pleased that the council’s multi-million pound investment in new facilities for staff and pupils has gained planning consent – enabling the transformation of the current Hawthorn High and Hawthorn Primary sites into a 21st Century environment. It will increase opportunities for young people in their education and provide first-class facilities which the whole community can be proud of,” said Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Youth Participation and the Welsh Language.
The council’s report says that the development will aim to achieve Net Zero carbon in operation, BREEAM accreditation, and achieve Welsh Government targets in this area.
Cllr Lewis said: “The Council has a very strong track record of delivering brand new education facilities with the Welsh Government, and this partnership is currently progressing a £252m Band B investment via the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. Projects currently progressing on site at YGG Aberdâr and Ysgol Rhydywaun will be delivered in time for the new academic year in September.
“The £72m investment across Greater Pontypridd in the Band B programme will deliver brand new school facilities for learners in Hawthorn, Rhydyfelin, Beddau and Cilfynydd in 2024, while new school buildings are also being progressed for Pontyclun Primary, Penygawsi Primary, Llanilltud Faerdref Primary, YGG Llyn y Forwyn, Maesybryn Primary and Tonysguboriau Primary.”
When the council was considering the new plan, there were 15 submissions objecting to the proposals with many focusing on highway safety and transport concerns. The complaints ranged from student safety and traffic management to crossing points. Find out more here .
Cllr Lewis said: “In Thursday’s planning meeting, officers explained that the new on-site setup for parking and accessing the school will represent a significant improvement upon the current arrangements. They also confirmed that specific highway matters will be addressed following the thorough Safe Routes to School assessment, with improvement works being carried out before the new 3-16 school opens. This is a process that is a matter of course for all school developments and will ensure the safest environment possible.
“With planning permission now granted, the Council will make progress towards delivering the new 3-16 school, and I’m looking forward to following this process as we bring brand new facilities for pupils in Hawthorn by 2024.”
The 3-16 school will welcome current Hawthorn High, Hawthorn Primary and Heol y Celyn Primary pupils from the English medium stream, from 2024.
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