Parents’ fury as school play area closed to ‘make way for car park’

meeting with council officers, governors and headteacher Christopher Newcombe to discuss the matter in school last week.

“Parents are furious because the children have lost half their play space,” Helen said.

“We will fight this. Having a green space is vital for children’s health and development and learning through play.

“We have been kept in the dark about these plans for the site and misled.”

Helen has complained in writing to Sarah Merry, Cardiff Council deputy leader and cabinet member for education, employment and skills.

A group of parents has also written to First Minister Mark Drakeford in his capacity as the local AM for Cardiff West.

Mr Drakeford has now written to Sarah Merry asking for details of the plans.

His letter adds: “As you will be aware, access to the school field at Ysgol Pwll Coch was removed some 18 months ago following the discovery of contaminants in the ground.

“I understand now that the local authority intends to include the field in the footprint of the new Fitzalan High School site.

“Parents are concerned that nonusage of the field, initially explained to them as a temporary safety measure, is now presented as part of a masterplan for the overall site.”

Parent Steve Fossey said he chose Pwll Coch for their children Esther, nine, and Isaac, five, partly because of its green area, unusual in the inner city.

“The plans for the new Fitzalan show a car park there, and while the council may say this is not set in stone, they have not engaged in any way with us.

“Pwll Coch was a real oasis in the city. The children could just run out and play on the cae. Now, where children played, there is going to be a car park and construction storage area.

“There is loads of parking nearby. There’s about four acres across the road at the retail park and Cardiff City stadium. Why annexe green school space?”

In response to an FOI request, Cardiff Council released its report into soil contamination at the site from earlier this year which concludes: “The risk estimates suggest that the health risk from exposure to airborne asbestos fibres that might be released from the soil is low and within acceptable levels for health protection.

“Remedial action on the basis of