Everyone is welcome to come along to a public consultation event next week, to find out more and have their say on the proposed new 3-19 Special School for Rhondda Cynon Taf – which has been earmarked for Clydach Vale.
Earlier this year, Cabinet agreed exciting proposals to establish the County Borough’s fifth special school by 2026. The investment responds to increasing learner numbers and the growing complexity of pupils’ needs. All options to expand the four existing special schools have been undertaken, and the only feasible alternative to provide extra capacity is to build a new school.
The school’s location was thoroughly considered in a site appraisal process and The Pavilions in Clydach Vale, formerly the Council’s headquarters, was considered the most suitable option. It provides an adequate site area, has satisfactory access and is a viable development opportunity. Demolition of the site got underway in spring 2024 and that process has since been completed.
The Council has now started a Pre Application Consultation process, giving residents an opportunity to find out more and have their say about the initial plans. This process will help officers continue to develop the proposals at this key stage, ahead of the final planning application being submitted.
As part of the consultation, officers will be hosting a local public event on Monday, November 11. It will take place at the Learning Centre at Cambrian Village Trust in Clydach Vale (CF40 2XX). Everyone is welcome to attend, by dropping in at any point between 3pm and 6pm.
Residents will be able to meet Education officers and the design team, ask any questions about the development proposals, and have their say. All responses will be included within the consultation feedback for consideration.
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, said: “Cabinet agreed to create a new 3-19 Special School for Rhondda Cynon Taf in January 2024, in what will be a multi-million pound investment in first-class education facilities. This was followed later in the year by the demolition of the Pavilions site, to ensure it is ready for development. Officers are now progressing an engagement exercise – the Pre Application Consultation – to share the proposals ahead of a formal planning submission, which will be the next main stage of the process.
“This major proposal was agreed by Cabinet to alleviate the considerable capacity pressures facing our special schools, which are being experienced now and are only expected to grow – due to high demand and increasingly-complex needs of learners. The new school is currently in the development phase and is being designed to meet all needs, with enhanced access to specialist facilities and equipment. It would be jointly funded by the Council and Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.
“As part of the Pre Application Consultation, officers will be hosting a local public event in Clydach Vale on November 11, so residents can find out more and ask any questions about the proposals at this stage. Everyone is welcome to drop in to the Learning Centre at Cambrian Village Trust, and I’d urge those people interested in the development to go along if possible.”
