Bridgend Council has published the findings of a public consultation on plans for a new single-site Mynydd Cynffig primary school (pdf).
The new school – which would be built at the current junior school site – would replace the existing split-site school, which is deemed to no longer be fit for purpose. It’s expected to cost £10.2million and would open in September 2025.
Some of the questions raised during the consultation process related to the future of the air cadet centre, the impact on Pwllygath allotments as well as concerns around highways.
The air cadet centre is set to be relocated with BCBC’s Corporate Landlord looking for a suitable place. The idea was raised that the cadets could use the school, but this wasn’t universally welcomed as there are some facilities at the centre – like a flight simulator and shooting range – that can’t be relocated to the school.
The plane outside the centre is also one of only 10 in the UK and will need to be moved.
BCBC provided the allotment association with a new allotment layout plan. The allotments will also get an upgraded parking area and security fencing as part of the scheme.The road leading to the school will also be widened with on-site parking for staff.
Parents for Welsh Medium Education (RhAG) criticised the council’s approach for having not properly considered the impact of the project on Welsh-medium education in the area (Ysgol Y Ferch o’r Sger), as well as the decision to delay plans for a dual-stream English and Welsh-medium school at the proposed Parc Afon Ewenni development.
They made a formal complaint to the Welsh Language Commissioner as a result.
BCBC were, however, satisfied with how the consultation went. They also said that as no housing development is yet forthcoming at Parc Afon Ewenni, the decision to delay that school in favour of Mynydd Cynffig was justified. Also, an increase of 100 places at the new Mynydd Cynffig school is to deal with existing overcrowding, not about extending English-medium provision at the expense of Ysgol Y Ferch o’r Sger – which is being expanded in a separate project in North Cornelly.
In a bit of good news for the council, in an online survey 89% of respondants – the majority of whom were parents and staff – backed the new school.
If the Cabinet agrees, a notice will be issued in March 2022 giving interested parties 28 days to submit a written objection. A final decision on whether to give the new school the go ahead would be made in May 2022.
