New Welsh language school plans approved
Richard Youle
PLANS for a new school in Kidwelly have been unanimously approved by Carmarthenshire councillors.
It will accommodate 174 pupils, plus 30 nursery age children, and have a sports pitch, multi-use games area and hall.
The Welsh language school will be built off Parc Pendre, just south of The Co-op food store, replacing the current
Ysgol Gwenllian in Station Road.
The county council’s planning committee unanimously approved an officer recommendation of support at a meeting on June 30.
Cllr Kevin Madge said: “It is a really exciting project. I strongly support it, knowing what the old school is like.”
A design and access report submitted as part of the council’s planning application described Ysgol Gwenllian as a Victorian building located on “a very confined site”.
The application was brought to the committee as there were financial implications in respect of land acquisition from third parties.
Access to the new, energy-efficient school will be via Parc Pendre, leading to a 50-space car park – 28 pupil drop-off spaces, 20 staff and two disability access spaces. There will also be 20 bike racks. Some new facilities are to be made available for community use outside of school hours.
Kidwelly Town Council has raised concerns about the potential impact of the scheme if it is built at the same time as new housing at Parc Pendre.
One resident objected to the new school, saying previously agreed protection to trees and hedgerows relating to a different scheme at the site should be adhered to.
There are 12 conditions attached to the school project, including one about protecting a hedgerow and trees, and another about installing an acoustic barrier along two sides of the sports pitch.
It is not clear yet when work will start or how much the project will cost.
Speaking after the vote was taken, committee chairman Cllr Alun Lenny said: “It’s great to see that Kidwelly will be having a new school in the near future – a school that they deserve for the 21st century.”