Plans to build a new £9million Welsh medium primary school in Llanelli have taken a step forward following news that a village green application for the proposed site has been declined.

Carmarthenshire County Council is proposing to build a new Ysgol Dewi Sant School at Llanerch Fields. However, objectors challenged the scheme by seeking to have the fields designated as a village green.

This week, in line with the findings of an independent inspector’s report, which has been shared with both parties, the decision has been taken to refuse the village green application.

The decision is subject to the usual call-in procedures.

It means the council can now progress its planning application for the two-storey school.

Executive Board Member for Education, Cllr Glynog Davies, has welcomed the news.

“This was the result I was hoping for,” he said. “We can now proceed with our plans for a new school for Ysgol Dewi Sant which will benefit Welsh language education in Llanelli as a whole.

“This is a high priority school for us as the current buildings are not fit for purpose and do not meet the standards that we want to achieve for our pupils and teaching staff.
“We are delighted with this news.”

The new £9.1million Welsh-medium school in Carmarthenshire, if approved by the Council’s planning committee, will accommodate 420 primary and 60 nursery pupils.

It would be set over two floors with larger classrooms with integrated IT facilities, a multi-purpose hall and specialist provision for pupils with additional learning needs.

It is proposed that it will also offer community benefits, including multi-use sports pitches and an off-site car park for school and community use.

The application follows public consultation which was carried out in September and October last year.

Carmarthenshire County Council, with support from the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools initiative, has invested more than £250million in new and renovated schools across Carmarthenshire, with more on the way.

To date, 10 new primaries and two new secondary schools have been built, with major refurbishment and extensions in another 38 primary schools and 13 secondary schools.

Tagged Carmarthenshire Council, Cllr Glynog Davies, education, Llanelli, Llanerch Fields, schools, Welsh medium primary school