Plans Submitted for Expansion of Valleys Special School Amid Rising Pupil Numbers

There are plans for a valleys special school to expand because more teaching space is required with pupil numbers set to increase.
An application going before Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) planning committee on Thursday, September 12 is for a new single storey classroom block containing three classrooms on the site of the multi-use games area at Maesgwyn Special School in Cwmdare Road, Cwmdare.
The planning report said that supporting information notes that Maesgwyn Special School is an existing school for children aged 11-19 with complex learning needs.
It said the school currently has 120 pupils on roll, but numbers are forecast to increase and consequently more teaching space is required.
The proposed classroom block would be built on part of an existing multi use games area (MUGA) at the site and plans also show that the retained part of the MUGA space will be resurfaced.
Planning officers have recommended it be approved saying: “The development would provide additional educational facilities at the school and provide a modern building for pupils.
“It is considered that the proposal would not be harmful to the character and appearance of the site and would not be harmful to the amenity of the closest neighbouring properties.
“Furthermore, it is considered that sufficient outdoor play spaces would be
retained at the site for the benefit of pupils of the school.”
There was one letter of objection which raised concern over the loss of privacy, with concerns of overlooking of a neighbouring property.
It also mentioned an increase in noise and disturbance with concerns over construction noise and that the use of the classroom which would create noise and disturbance impacting on the well-being of neighbours.
They also raised concerns about the impact on property value, loss of green space, and that the building would be out of character in the area.
Planning officers said that the proposed building would be built on top of
an existing area of hardstanding used as a multi use games area and within
the grounds of an existing and well-established school so the development would not be considered to harm the character of the area and would be
in keeping with the surrounding built form.
They said the development would not directly overlook neighbouring properties and would not be considered to harm the amenities of neighbours through loss of privacy.
Officers also said  the development of a modest single storey building within the grounds of an existing school would not be considered to cause significant
disturbance to neighbours.
They said that concerns over the impact on neighbouring property values would not be considered an overriding material planning consideration for the purposes of this planning application
Planning officers acknowledged that the proposed classroom block would reduce the amount of outdoor play area at the site but added that a large portion of the MUGA would be retained and enhanced, with the remaining MUGA sports pitch being resurfaced.
They also said that there is a separate outdoor playground at the site and
other outdoor play areas as well in the area.
The report said that technical constraints including topography and mining legacy have restricted the space available on site to build a new classroom block which has meant the building needs to be at this location. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

By BBC LDRS ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​