Plans to build Flintshire’s first Welsh medium school in more than 25 years set to be decided

Plans to build Flintshire’s first Welsh medium school for more than 25 years are set to be decided on.

Flintshire Council’s planning committee will meet next week to decide on an application from the authority to build the new two-storey primary school on land at Ffordd Dewi in Oakenholt near Flint.

It forms part of the council’s strategy to increase the number of Welsh language speakers in the county, and the new site will replace the existing Ysgol Croes Atti building, on Chester Road in Flint.

It would be the first Welsh medium school building built in Flintshire since 1996.

A new 96 space car park is planned for staff and visitors, including disabled parking bays, three electric charging bays and four minibus parking bays with room for a further 25 space future expansion.

There will be a wrap around the new building including hard and soft landscaping, a rain garden, floodlit Multi Use Games Area (MUGA), external football and rounders pitches and natural play areas.

A design and access statement submitted with the application at the end of last year says there will be capacity for up to 240 pupils with room left to increase this if there is the demand in the future. There will also be a part-time nursery with capacity for 30.

The application has been recommended for approval but within the documents, Flint Town Council has shared concerns from residents about the proposed entrance to the school being on a bend and traffic passing at speed.

But according to a report to be read by the committee, detailed traffic surveys have concluded that there will be no detrimental impact on residential areas. In addition, a condition will be imposed to promote active travel to the site.

The report, written by Flintshire Council’s chief planning officer Andrew Farrow, says: “This application seeks planning permission for the proposed development of land to the south of Ffordd Dewi, Oakenholt to provide a two storey primary school and associated CLIC building.

“The intention of the masterplan for the Croes Atti development was to provide a school on the site and the provision of this 270 place development meets with those ambitions.

“Careful use of design both of the building and external areas results in a high quality scheme which is beneficial not only for future pupils but also results in no negative impact on neighbouring amenity.

“Concerns raised by residents have been fully considered, as have all other material planning matters and the application is compliant with both local and national planning policy.”

The council’s planning committee meets on Wednesday (March 29) to decide on the application.
By Rory Sheehan – Local Democracy Reporter (more here).