Cardiff Council’s Planning Committee have today approved plans to build a new Fitzalan High School on land next to the Leckwith Stadium in the Canton area of the city.

The developmentrepresents a £63.5m investment in the local community and will see the existing Fitzalan High School replaced with a new-build 10 form entry school, which will accommodate up to 1,500 students between the age of 11 and 16, plus a sixth form.

The new school will offer comprehensive sports facilities including a multi-use games area, 3G pitches and a new indoor swimming pool, replacing the current pool which is already extensively used by local schools and community groups. These, and other facilities at the school will be available for public use outside school hours.

Deputy Leader of Cardiff Council, and Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry, said: “The development of a new Fitzalan High School will mark the latest project delivered under Cardiff Council and Welsh Government’s £284m Band B 21^stCentury Schools Programme.

“The benefits of replacing Fitzalan High School, which is in poor condition and nearing the end of its operational life is conducive to both learning and teaching. However, a state-of-the art school with modern amenities will also present new and exciting opportunities to local people, whilst representing significant investment in the surrounding area.

“The public consultation in the lead up to planning approval, played a key role in the development of the new school and encouraging feedback from members of the public showed their recognition for the opportunities that will be available to the local community.”

Jason Taylor, operations director for Kier Regional Building Western & Wales, states: “We are delighted that plans have been approved for Fitzalan high school and we can support Cardiff Council and Welsh Government by delivering a school that will offer first-class facilities for its pupils and staff. We have extensive experience within the educational sector and through the Welsh Government’s 21^stcentury schools programme we have helped to transform primary and secondary educational settings across south wales.

“We fully support the ambitions of the Well-being of Future Generations Act and we are committed to leaving lasting legacies in areas in which we build, which means throughout the construction of Fitzalan high school, we will provide training and employment opportunities as well as engage with local residents.”

A public consultation for the Planning Application ran for four weeks from 7July – 4 August 2020 and invited members of the public to share their views.

The full planning permission has been granted for the following:

Erection of a 3 storey high school to accommodate 1850 pupils,
New community swimming pool.
Provision of 2 MUGAs.
Provision of 1 3G rugby / football pitch.
Provision of 1 under 16 hockey / football pitch.
A staff car park (47 spaces) and visitor car park (24 spaces including 8 disabled bays).
Associated hard and soft play areas.

Planning permission for the enabling works associated with the development were granted in March 2020. These included the following works which are due to be completed summer 2021.

Relocation of the Air Dome onto land behind Leckwith Stadium ;
New grass stitched football pitch Tier 2 standard, (with no floodlighting);
New 3G rugby / football pitch;
Relocation of throwing range;
Erection of 2 storey changing room building (with 3 community classrooms at first floor and 1 on ground floor);
Erection of a single storey changing room building;
Pitch 5 (for use by cricket);
Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) 16 and 17; and
Provision of new car parking area and cycle stands for community parking.

Subject to procurement, construction of the new school is expected to be completed in the 2022/2023 academic year.