New school and community centre at Cyngor Gwynedd, Bontnewydd Primary School, Caernarfon

What was proposed

The application proposed replacing the existing school with a two-storey Welsh-medium school, community centre, landscaping, access, parking and supporting structures.

“Proposal: Demolish existing school building and construct a new school and community centre and all the external landscap- ing, access road and parking. Installation of ancillary struc- tures including free-standing canopies, bicycle shelters, re- fuse area and sprinkler tanks and all external play equip- ment as required to support the new school building.”

“This application involves the demolition of existing school buildings to be replaced with the con- struction of a new school and community centre on the same site together with all the external landscaping, access road and parking. The development will also involve the installation of ancil- lary structures including free-standing canopies, bicycle shelters, refuse area and sprinkler tanks and all external play equipment as required to support the new school building.”

Officer report

The site and its surroundings

The site is in a mainly residential part of Bontnewydd, within the village boundary, near a conservation area, listed buildings, the river and protected land.

“The site is in a southern location of the village in an area that is mainly residential within the de- velopment boundary of the Bontnewydd Service Village as shown in the Anglesey and Gwynedd Joint Local Development Plan Inset Maps.”

“The site lies within Zone B in the Development Advice Maps, as referred to in Technical Advice Note 15 (TAN 15): Development and Flood Risk (2004). The site is also partly located within Flood Zones 2 and 3 (Rivers and Sea Surface Water and Watercourses) and Defence Zone (Rivers) according to the Flood Map for Planning.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier permissions covered temporary school accommodation and two classroom extensions at the site.

“C24/0112/19/LL - Installation of modular units and higher access platforms to provide temporary school accommodation at Ysgol Bontnewydd. ⁠Work to include modifications to external boundary fences, access gates and forming a temporary storage compound for litter bins and storage contain- ers.”

“C99A/0098/19/R3 - Extension to create an additional classroom - Approved with conditions - 17/04/1999 ⁠”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the proposal suitable because it would improve an existing educational site, retain its use, manage impacts and provide sustainable modern facilities.

“The use made of these buildings has already ended as they are not now suitable. When considering the condition of the existing buildings, and the intention to use the same site, it is believed that it is reasonable to seek to construct a new building that has been specifically designed for modern environ- mental and educational requirements. 3.”

“Criterion (iv) states that the scale and type of the proposal is appropriate compared to the size, character and function of the settlement. The existing school would provide space for 210 learners.”

Officer report

What people said

Public responses strongly supported the development but raised concerns about the sprinkler tank, noise, fencing, boundaries, access, parking and effects on nearby properties.

“Public Consultation: A notice was posted on the site and nearby residents were notified. The advertisement period has expired, and 3 items of correspondence were received, and a summary of their observation can be seen: • Very supportive of the development. • Welcome investment in the local community. • Very keen to see this moving forward for the benefit of the village children. • Concern regarding the location of the large sprinkler tank.”

“Concern regarding existing hedgerows, hawthorn and bram- bles growing over the walls of nearby premises. • Concern regarding the school access points. Parents and chil- dren walking on premises/private footpaths to get to school. • People parking across the entrance of a private property. • Children standing to speak and kicking gravel off the private path and damaging it.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The local member supported the application and described its educational, environmental, active travel and community benefits.

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application with conditions covering timing, plans, transport, heritage, landscaping, biodiversity, lighting, public protection, drainage, construction and Welsh language matters.

“Time (five years). In accordance with the plans. Agree on final materials and colours. Transport conditions. Archaeological conditions. Landscaping and trees condition. Biodiversity condition. Prior conditions agreement for external light. Public Protection Conditions. Welsh Water conditions. Natural Resources Wales conditions. Limit working hours during the construction period. A Welsh name for the school. Welsh language Signs.”

“Natural Resources Wales. Highways. SUDS. Major Application Note.”

Minutes