Former Porth junior school site to accommodate five new houses

A FORMER primary school in Porth will be turned into houses after councillors approved plans for the site.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s planning committee on Thursday, August 4 approved plans for the demolition of existing buildings relating to the former school and to build five detached houses at the former Porth Junior School.

The development will see the demolition of the existing school buildings and associated structures which are currently in place at the site.

The layout of the site will see the five houses located parallel to the existing properties at Primrose Terrace.

There will be an area of off street parking to the front and a private amenity space at ground floor level to the rear.

Access to the houses would be through an internal private drive that would make use of the existing vehicle access from Primrose Terrace.

There were six letters of objection to the application which raised concerns including overlooking, vegetation overhanging properties at The Parade, potential impacts upon retaining wall along The Parade particularly during the construction period, drainage issues affecting properties along The Parade, waste removal, a lack of information with regard to drainage and safety concerns associated with the drop from the boundary of the site with properties along the Parade.

But in recommending approval, council officers said:

“The proposed five dwellings would be of an acceptable design, layout and scale, and would make use of this unallocated site within the settlement boundary.

“It is considered that the development would not unduly affect the amenity or privacy of the closest neighbouring occupiers and no harm has been identified to highway safety.”

Officers felt that the proposal would not have a significant impact on the character and appearance of the area and that the development would benefit from acceptable highway access.

There was an additional condition added that during the demolition period and construction phase, the work be restricted to Monday to Friday (8am-6pm), Saturday (8am-1pm) and Sunday (no working