Plans to relocate and rebuild Willows High School are open for public consultation.
The Pre-Application Consultation will run until Monday 18 December 2023, and provides an opportunity for members of the public to have their say on proposals for the new school before a planning application is submitted to Cardiff Council’s Planning Committee.
According to the information provided, the new school will boast a range of comprehensive facilities which will be available for public use outside of school hours and will be delivered under Cardiff Council and Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.
Proposals include;
- Relocating and rebuilding the school on three parcels of land at Splott Market and Portmanmoor Road; including access to the 3G pitches at the former tennis centre and providing enough space for the new school without taking away any existing open space.
- Providing pupils with access to a high-quality learning environment to support and enhance teaching and learning.
- A community focussed school with facilities available for use by the whole community outside of core school hours.
- Enhanced pedestrian facilities to support active travel arrangements on the Lewis Road site.
- Capacity for 900 places for learners aged 11 to 16, and a 30 place Specialist resource base for Complex Learning Needs; in line with the projected demand.
- Pupils to remain at the existing Willows High School site until the new school build is complete to minimise the potential for disruption
Deputy Leader of Cardiff Council, and Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Sarah Merry, said:
“The new Willows High School is set to become a first-class educational facility representing a significant investment in the local area.
Not only will it provide pupils and staff with exceptional expertise and teaching opportunities, but it will also ensure that the local community benefit from excellent, modern amenities.”
“After consideration was given to several sites, the new site will also present significant benefits, including opportunities to form links with local businesses and organisations in the area who can helpcreate challenging, supportive and stimulating opportunities to promote aspiration and achievement.
“I encourage people to come forward and have their say to help shape the plans and the future of the school.
Cllr Sarah Merry added:
“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 following drop-in sessions will take place for members of the public to view the plans;
- Friday 24th November at Adamsdown Capel I Bawb from 10.00 am – 12.00pm
- Monday 27th November at Butetown Pavilion from 2.00pm – 4.00pm
- Wednesday 29th November at Splott Star Hub from 4.00pm – 6.00pm
In June 2023, the contract to carry out the enabling works associated with the development of new build accommodation for the new school was awarded to Morgan Sindall Construction, representing a £3.4m investment towards the latest scheme.
Planning approval for the enabling works was granted in February 2023 and included;
- A stopping up order on Lewis Road and relevant highways works, to allow development to take place.
- Construction of active travel routes to the eastern perimeter of site
- Installation of new utilities and relocation of existing services
- Excavation and groundworks including the removal of contaminated material following disturbance of ground
- Demolition of existing buildings located on Portmanmor Road and at Splott Market site
- Installation of secure fencing around site boundary
Subject to planning and procurement, construction of the new campus is expected to start in Spring 2024.
