Further consultation launched on plans to relocate major Cardiff secondary school

Another consultation has been launched on the relocation of a major secondary school in Cardiff. Plans for Willows High School, currently in Willows Avenue in Tremorfa, to be relocated and rebuilt on land off Lewis Road in Splott are currently in the pre-application stage.

The pre-application consultation, which is now open, runs until Tuesday, August 16. A planning application for the development is expected to be lodged in spring 2023. If plans go ahead the school would have places for 900 students aged 11 to 16. Pupils will remain at the existing Willows High School site until the new school is built.

Willows High is currently in poor condition and was put forward for redevelopment as part of the Band B 21st Century Schools Programme. Initial plans for the school to be built on land at Tremorfa Park were thrown out after opposition from members of the public raised concerns about the loss of recreational space.

Read more: The latest planning decisions made in Cardiff

Deputy leader of Cardiff council and cabinet member for education, employment, and skills Sarah Merry said: "After consideration was given to several sites the proposed location for the new school was found to be accessible for the catchment population with a range of active transport routes already in place. There would be an opportunity to deliver on the council's commitment to develop active travel plans and accessible walking and cycling routes for all schools by implementing new routes for cycling and improved pedestrian facilities in the area."

The current proposed site includes land that the popular Splott Market lies on. If approved the development would result in the demolition of existing buildings located in Portmanmor Road and at the site of Splott Market. An initial public consultation took place in June 2021 asking members of the public for their views on what should be taught at the school and how it should be delivered. The relocation of the school was largely supported by respondents. However some did raise concerns about the plans, particularly regarding traffic and road safety.

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