A public consultation on plans to combine three Cardiff schools into a huge, joint education campus has been launched. Cardiff Council has opened the consultation for the public to share their views on the planned development of Fairwater Community Campus, which will see new builds for three schools, all located in one campus.
Cantonian High School, Riverbank School, and Woodlands School, would all be located on one dedicated campus in Fairwater as part of the plans. The site would also include facilities available for public use, according to the council.
The scheme, delivered under Cardiff council and Welsh Government's sustainable communities for learning programme, was approved by Cardiff council's cabinet in September 2020 following approval from Welsh Government that July. As part of the proposals the Cantonian High School buildings would be replaced with 'new build accommodation' on the same site.
The school would be expanded from six forms of entry to eight, with sixth form provision for up to 250 pupils. The high school's Specialist Resource Base (SRB) for learners with an Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) would also be expanded to 30 places in purpose built accommodation in the new school buildings.
Woodlands School would be relocated to the Fairwater Campus site from its current site adjacent to Trelai Park. New build accommodation would also see places at the school increase to 240. Riverbank School would also be relocated to the new campus, with capacity increased to 112 places.
Cardiff council deputy leader Sarah Merry said: "This public consultation is the next step in the development of Cardiff's first joint educational campus and an exciting milestone for the futures of Cantonian, Woodlands and Riverbank Schools.
"I encourage people to come forward and have their say to help shape the plans that will support the development of this pioneering campus which represents a significant investment in the Fairwater area and will ensure that the pupils, staff and the local community benefit from excellent, modern amenities."
ISG Construction will undertake the detailed design and build process for the scheme and, following public consultation and the approval of planning back in November 2022, the enabling works associated with it will begin this month, including the establishment of a temporary school on the south of the site.
This is to allow the main school construction to take place on the north of the site, where the existing Cantonian High School buildings currently stand, Cardiff Council has said. The schools at the campus will be powered from renewable energy sources, in line with the council's One Planet Strategy which outlines the city's ambition to mitigate climate change.
A planning application for the main construction of the new campus is anticipated to be submitted in March 2023 and, subject to planning and procurement, construction of the new campus is expected to start early next year and be completed in the 2025/26 academic year.
The Pre-Application Consultation runs until Monday, February 6. You can view the proposals and have your say here. Public drop-in sessions will take place on:
- Tuesday 17th January at Cantonian High School, Fairwater Road, Fairwater, CF5 3JR, from 4pm-7.30pm.
- Wednesday 18th January at Pentrebane Zone Community Centre,Beechley Drive, CF5 3SG, from 3pm-7pm
- Thursday 19th January at Insole Court, Drawing Room: Fairwater Road, CF5 2LN, from 2pm-7pm.
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