Decision due on new Welsh school

BBC Wales Website – 24 August 2005

A new Welsh-medium primary school is likely to be built in the west of Swansea - but the chosen site has angered some residents.

Swansea council said the new school, in West Cross should be completed in 2008.

The council's cabinet is due to vote on the proposal, which is part of the reorganisation of the city's education, on Thursday.

Opponents of the new school at West Cross say it would cause traffic issues as there are two other schools nearby.

Councillors have been looking for a new site for Welsh medium primary education in the west of the city for more than a year.

Ysgol Gynradd Llwynderw was set up three years ago in an old canteen block at Bishop Gore Comprehensive School, but has outgrown the accommodation there.

Swansea council cabinet member for education, Mike Day, said the decision to build a replacement at the site of West Cross House, due before the council's cabinet on Thursday, followed more than a year of consultation.

He said: "The new school will have modern facilities and will create the right environment to encourage pupils to reach their full potential."

He said the authority had altered its original proposals to ease local fears.

"We have listened to the concerns raised over traffic management and the environment."

But West Cross councillor Desmond Thomas said at a public meeting earlier in the year there was strong opposition to developing the site.

"I am hoping to see the new plans this afternoon but they will have to have come up with something completely different to satisfy what has been quite vociferous opposition," he said.

If there are any objections following the publication of the statutory notice it will go to the Welsh Assembly Government for a final decision.

Meanwhile councillor Day said £20m had been set aside to create a new 'super-school' by merging Dylan Thomas Community School and Bishop Gore Comprehensive.

Some parents are fighting the proposals and Mr Day said further consultation was needed.