School extension plans a ‘win-win’ for all concerned

Plans to extend a flagship special school in Ystrad Mynach have been given the green light by Caerphilly council’s Cabinet.

Plans to extend a flagship special school in Ystrad Mynach have been given the green light by Caerphilly council’s Cabinet.

Alternative proposals for Trinity Fields School have now been agreed following concerns that the original plans would have led to the loss of an adjacent sports pitch to accommodate the extension works.

Leader of Council, Cllr Sean Morgan welcomed the decision, “Back in July I assured the community that we were looking at new options to reconfigure and deliver the scheme with less impact on the surrounding area.”

“The solution we have agreed today provides a win-win for all concerned – the school will get a much-needed extension and the community will get to keep the adjacent sports pitch.”

“The amazing staff at Trinity Fields support the most vulnerable children in our community and it is clear that the school needs to grow to meet increasing demand for places. However, we have also listened to the concerns raised by the community about the potential loss of green space, so I’m pleased that we have now agreed a solution which delivers for everyone.”

The revised plans involve the development of a new two-storey extension on part of the school’s existing car park, which will create ten new classrooms and deliver additional facilities within the school.

The scheme is being delivered as part of Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme (Band B).

As these revised proposals do not provide as much capacity or as many additional facilities as the original plans, the council will now investigate a longer term option to create a second Special School within the county borough under Band C of the programme