New Welsh school given £7.4 million go-ahead

A NEW primary school and nursery for 470 pupils has been given planning permission by Swansea councillors.

The new YGG Tan-y-Lan will be built off Hill View Crescent, Clase, and replace the smaller, existing school at Tan-y-lan Terrace.

Council education chiefs expect the £7.4 million school to open in January 2021.

A report before the planning committee said three objections had been submitted, citing concerns about parking and traffic.

The report said a 20mph one-way system along Hill View Crescent would be created, with speed cushions, residents’ parking and an upgrade of the foopath along the southern boundary of the road.

Council chiefs anticpate that around half the pupils will walk or cycle to the school. A total of 40 bike spaces are to be provided, plus a zebra crossing at the front.

There will also be a drop-off and pick-up layby.

Councillor Peter Black queried  the length of the layby at the commitee meeting – and the education department is to update the traffic plans and transport arrangements shortly.

The new school will have an all-weather sports pitch and a multi-use games area, and potentially kitchen and sensory gardens.

Cabinet agreed to press on with the YGG Tan-y-lan proposal in March, along with a new YGG Tirdeunaw in Penlan.

Demand for Welsh language education is increasing – and the planning committee also gave the go-ahead for new classrooms and sports facilites at Gowerton’s YGG Gwyr at the May 7 meeting.

However, YGG Felindre and Craigcefnparc primary will close at the end of August.

Councillor Jennifer Raynor, cabinet member for education improvement, learning and skills, said: “The approval of the plans for YGG Tan-y-lan at an exciting new location allows us to deliver more Welsh medium places, building on the opening of a new school at YGG Lon Las (Llansamlet) and improvements to YGG Y Cwm (Bonymaen).

“We recognise the increase in demand across the city.”