Residents have been invited to have their say on the latest step in the proposed development of the first joint education campus in Cardiff, which could see three schools combined onto one site. Cantonian High School, Riverbank Special School, and Woodlands High School will be rebuilt together in Fairwater under the plans and all three will have greater capacity for pupils.
Work is expected to begin in 2023 and be completed by 2026 subject to planning and procurement. Members of the public have until July 11 to respond to a pre-application consultation which solicits views on a planning application for the enabling works associated with the project before it is submitted to Cardiff council's planning committee.
The enabling works include the establishment of temporary school buildings at the south of the site comprising classrooms, a reception, a sports hall, a kitchen, and a canteen. A temporary school car park and a temporary footpath from Fairwater Road to Doyle Avenue are also planned.
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Permanent enabling works have also be proposed to facilitate the redevelopment, which will include boundary fencing, sports pitches, multi-use games areas (MUGAs) and associated fencing, lighting, landscaping, drainage, and engineering works.
The pioneering campus, if progressed, is set to be the largest, both in scale and investment, of the city's education developments delivered under Cardiff Council and Welsh Government's Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, which aims to develop schools and colleges and reduce buildings in poor condition.
The planning application for the construction of the new campus is anticipated to be submitted in September this year. Proposals include replacing the current Cantonian High School buildings with new buildings on its current site in Fairwater and expanding the school from six forms of entry to eight forms of entry with sixth form provision for up to 250 pupils.
Woodlands High School will be relocated to the new campus from its current site adjacent to Trelai Park. New buildings will increase the capacity of the school from 140 to 240 places. Riverbank School will also be relocated from its current site adjacent to Trelai Park and its capacity will be increased from 70 to 112 places with more new buildings.
The plans include expanding the specialist resource base for learners with an autism spectrum condition to 30 places. The joint campus will also offer comprehensive facilities which will be available for public use outside of school hours but it has not been specified what these will be.
Ahead of the deadline for the pre-application consultation for the enabling works Cardiff residents have shared mixed views of the overall proposed development. Some felt it was "about time" the historic Cantonian High School, which opened in 1907 and moved to Fairwater in the 1960s, was knocked down and rebuilt.
Helen Harrison told WalesOnline: "I’ll be happy to see the new school built. The old campus was falling apart when I attended 20 years ago and has only gotten worse. The plans for the new campus look amazing! I’m hoping it will be completed in time to send my son there."
But others were concerned about the potential influx of traffic to the already congested area. One resident wrote under Cardiff Council's post about the consultation on Facebook: "Traffic in and out of Fairwater is awful as it is, with Bishop of Llandaff and Cantonian already clogging Fairwater Road in the morning and evening, then there is the junction at Cardiff Road/Llandaff. I'm all for Cantonian getting the money it needs to improve but not three schools in one place around awkward roads already blocked in the morning."
While another person welcomed the fact the campus would be open for public use she predicted "a traffic nightmare", noting that new flats and a bus terminal are also set to be built on nearby Waun Gron Road. In December 2018 Cardiff Council's cabinet agreed to hold a public consultation on the proposals, which received more than 750 responses that were "extremely positive" overall.
The council says the development will be the city's first 'Net Zero Carbon' campus, with particular attention paid to reducing the amount of greenhouse gases emitted during the construction of the project. The school buildings will be powered from renewable energy sources.
Deputy council 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. The enabling works associated with the project and the establishment of temporary school buildings for Cantonian High School are an integral part of the project which when complete will provide exceptional facilities, expertise, and teaching opportunities for students, staff, and the community.
"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 local community benefit from excellent, modern amenities." To have your say on the planning application for the enabling works click here. A public drop-in session will also take place at Fairwater Hub on Wednesday, June 22, from 12pm to 6pm.
