Details have been revealed about how a school in Aberdare could be developed and extended.
It has been previously reported that Rhondda Cynon Taf Council proposed a £4.5m investment at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg (YGG) Aberdâr. The plan is to build what's been described as a "significant" extension and a childcare facility at the school in partnership with Welsh Government.
The proposal is to provide the school with the following:
- Four modern classrooms.
- An additional play area.
- Extensions to the existing hall and the school car park.
Two temporary classrooms are currently being used by the school, and these would be removed under the plans, resulting in an overall gain of two classrooms.
If the plans go ahead it means the school’s capacity would increase by 48 places to 480, including nursery places.
Read more about the latest planning news in your area:
Cabinet Members previously agreed a £23.9m investment in education for the Cynon Valley, using funding from Welsh Government’s 21 st Century Schools and Colleges Programme. This includes a £3.69m investment for YGG Aberdâr in Cwmdare to increase the school’s capacity in response to the growing local demand for Welsh Medium primary places. You can read more about that here.
Now residents can view the detailed plans and have their say on the proposed development.
The council will also consult residents on a separate £810,000 investment, secured from Welsh Government’s Welsh Medium Capital Grant, to create a new 30-place Welsh Medium childcare facility on the school site. Both elements of the overall £4.5m investment would be delivered by 2022.
Councillor Joy Rosser, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Inclusion Services, said: “The exciting £4.5m investment proposals for YGG Aberdâr will deliver new internal and external facilities at the school, in one of our latest 21 st Century Schools projects. The council has recently delivered a new £10.2m school for Hirwaun Primary in partnership with Welsh Government, while Ysgol Rhydywaun and a number of schools across the greater Pontypridd area will also benefit in the near future.
“Cabinet Members recently considered the council’s investment and commitment to expand Welsh Medium education in Rhondda Cynon Taf, as outlined in its Welsh in Education Strategic Plan.
"There are 28.1% surplus places across our Welsh Medium primary schools, but the council is taking action in areas where demand exceeds capacity – with the proposed £3.69m investment for YGG Aberdâr, to create 48 extra places, an important example.
“Another council priority in this area is increasing the quality and availability of early years Welsh Medium provision, co-located at primary schools – and the £810,000 funding secured from Welsh Government will create a dedicated Cylch Meithrin at YGG Aberdâr, alongside the 21 st Century Schools work.
“The proposed investment aims to deliver important improvements for staff and pupils at YGG Aberdâr, and the council will welcome feedback given by members of the public in the consultation process.
"The views received up until February 26 will be a key consideration as the project moves forward."
A public engagement exercise has now begun to enable residents to share their views on the proposals. The feedback received will be used and considered in the planning process for the investment scheme.
The consultation will end on Friday, February 26, and residents can take part via email or by completing a form. Further information on how to take part, along with detailed plans of the proposals, are included here.
