Plans for ‘much needed’ new primary school set for approval

Anthony Lewis, local democracy reporter

Plans for a “much needed” new primary school with space for 500 pupils could be given the go-ahead next week.

Merthyr Tydfil council is planning the new school in the Gurnos area on land to the north of Goitre Lane which would provide a 500-pupil capacity primary school and would include a nursery, pre-school, community facilities and flying start.

It would replace the existing school which has a capacity of 420 pupils and the development forms part of the Sustainable Communities for Learning school building programme.

The plans also include access, landscaping, play/sports pitches, parking, external works, swale, plant and associated works.

Net zero

The planning report said the target for this project was that the building was to become net zero carbon in operation.

The proposed access, car park and drop-off bays would be in the western part of the site, to the south of the school building there would be a communal garden area and to the east a large playground, a multi-use games area (MUGA), a grassed sports pitch, a softball amphitheatre, a therapeutic garden and climbing area.

Access into the site would be via Goitre Lane with a new mini roundabout and there would be a one-way system with parking including eight electric vehicle spaces, four motorcycle spaces, 40 cycle spaces and four accessible spaces to the west of the building.

A designated drop off and pick up zone is proposed within the site and more pedestrian access is proposed from Goitre Lane with a toucan crossing off Goitre Lane to the south of the main school building allowing easy access to the foyer/reception area of the school.

The planning report said that a detailed landscaping scheme had been submitted which included native woodland together with wildflower meadow mix.

A number of trees would also be planted in various locations across the school grounds.

One letter of objection was received which raised highway safety concern as a result of traffic congestion and indiscriminate parking at peak times.

It raised concern about the capacity of the local highway network to accommodate additional traffic, it said the pollution from the increase in traffic would have an impact on air quality in the area, it mentioned the increased potential for noise and disturbance and anti-social activity and the impact on house prices.

Community facility

But in recommending approval, planning officers said in the report: “The proposed development would provide a much-needed replacement primary school and community facility within the area.

“The school is considered to represent a high-quality development which accords with the councils’ aspirations in respect of the standard of design, build and energy efficiency.

“The development is acceptable in respect of highway safety, visual impact, impact upon the character of the area, ecological interests and impact upon the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers.”

The planning report said that the most recent use of the land was for grazing purposes and formed part of the council’s grazing portfolio, but this ended in 2021 and it has since been unused.

The application will go before the council’s planning, regulatory and licensing committee on Wednesday, July 31.