Plans approved for major expansion of ALN school

Anthony Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

A school for pupils with additional learning needs is set to almost triple in size after plans for a major expansion were approved.

The Buarth Y Capel satellite site of Ysgol Ty Coch in Ynysybwl, Rhondda Cynon Taf, currently has 34 pupils but will be able to accommodate up to 94 following the development.

RCT Council’s planning committee has approved the construction of a new teaching block containing six classrooms and associated facilities.

The expansion is also expected to increase the number of staff based at the site from 19 to 54.

The new single-storey building will be constructed on the eastern side of the existing school and linked to it by a covered walkway.

It will have an external footprint of approximately 719 square metres and will be similar in height to the existing school building.

The teaching block will include six classrooms with associated breakout rooms, shared cloakrooms, hygiene facilities, accessible toilets, a cleaner’s store, server and maintenance store and plant room.

Plans also include solar panels on the south-facing roof, a new sprinkler tank and an air-source heat pump compound, as well as a soft play area.

The site layout will be reconfigured to provide a new one-way access route, 18 new car parking spaces and four disabled spaces.

A six-bay covered cycle shelter will also be provided, while an existing demountable classroom building will be removed and new security fencing, access control gates and a bin store installed.

Planning officers recommended approval, saying the development would help the council meet growing demand for special school places in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

They said: “The new school building would provide a much-needed modern ‘net zero carbon in operation’ additional learning needs facility as part of the council’s 21st Century Schools Programme and would assist the council in meeting its statutory duties associated with the growth of pupils within Rhondda Cynon Taf requiring special school placements.

“The new building would be of a clean, modern, and attractive design and would create no significant adverse impacts towards the amenities and privacy of neighbouring residents.

“In addition the site landscaping scheme and the removal of a temporary building from the site would enhance the environment in and around the school whilst the revisions to the access and parking arrangements would improve traffic management both within and outside the site.”

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