Specialist teaching block at Buarth Y Capel Secondary School Buarth-Y-Capel Ynys-Y-Bwl, Pontypridd

What was proposed

A single-storey teaching block with six classrooms, linked to the existing school, was proposed alongside parking, access, landscaping and other site works.

“The submitted drawings show that the new, single storey building would be sited to the eastern side of the existing school, for which it would be linked by a canopy walkway. The new block would have an external footprint measuring approximately 719sqm and would be comparable to the height of the existing school building, having an eaves and ridge height of 4.1m and 5.5m, respectively.”

“The installation of an array of photovoltaic panels to the south facing roof pitch of the new building; • The installation of a new sprinkler tank and Air Source Heat Pump compound, to the eastern side of the school, which would be enclosed by 2.4m high acoustic fencing; • The development of a soft play area; • The reconfiguration of the site layout to include a new, one-way access route; • The development of 18 new car parking spaces to the north of the site, together…”

Officer report

The site

The site is an existing satellite special school within Ynysybwl, with residential properties nearby and mature trees and hedging around its boundaries.

“The application site relates to the former Glanffrwd Infants School that is located within the village of Ynysybwl. The school now operates as a satellite site to the main Ysgol Ty- Coch educational establishment located in Tonteg, Pontypridd and meets the needs of students aged 11-19 years with a primary need of autism.”

“The school is accessed from Buarth-y-Capel to the north-west, with off street parking spaces located to the front of the site. The site is relatively flat in profile and is bound by the rear boundaries of residential properties in Leighton Rees Close to the south-east, whilst the estate road also serves properties at Buarth-y-Capel to the north and north- west of the site.”

Officer report

Earlier site development

A demountable classroom unit was approved at the school site in 2022.

“21/1480/GREG: YSGOL TY COCH, BUARTH-Y-CAPEL, YNYSYBWL, PONTYPRIDD, CF37 3PA Installation of a demountable classroom unit. Decision: 07/02/2022, GTD”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Technical consultees and the community council raised no objections, subject to conditions from some consultees.

“Highways and Transportation: No objection, subject to condition.”

“Ynysybwl Community Council: No objection.”

Officer report

What residents said

Residents questioned tree removal, eastern fencing, distances to homes, the noise assessment and the building’s position, while earlier consultation raised noise, traffic and parking concerns.

“Clarification is sought to confirm to the removal of trees from the site; • Clarification is sought on the height and position of the proposed new boundary fence to the eastern boundary of the site; • Clarification is sought as the to the distance of the new school building from properties to the east of the application site; • Concern raised in relation to the noise survey being conducted outside of school term time; • Justification requested as to the siting of the new…”

“In addition to the above, Members are advised that the proposals were subject to a public consultation exercise, with this being conducted prior to the submission of the planning application, in February 2026. In this regard, the applicant has advised that in response to this exercise, local residents raised concern as to noise pollution, traffic generation and parking impacts.”

Officer report

Who presented the application

The Head of Major Development and Investment presented the application to the committee.

The committee vote

The committee resolved to approve the application in accordance with the recommendation.

“The Head of Major Development and Investment presented the application to Committee and following consideration it was RESOLVED to approve the application in accordance with the recommendation of the Director, Housing and Regeneration.”

Minutes