The first works on the ground towards delivering an innovative new primary school and community hub for Glyn-coch by 2026 will get underway next week. Residents may notice initial enabling activity at the work site, which will precede the main construction phase which will follow on next month.
This exciting project being delivered by the Council via Welsh Government’s Sustainable Schools Challenge funding will provide a new sustainable school for the Glyn-coch community. A modern building will welcome pupils from Cefn Primary and Craig yr Hesg Primary schools, serving their combined catchment area. It will be built on the Craig yr Hesg Primary site and adjacent land. The English Medium school will include a nursery, Learning Support Classes, and a Welsh Medium childcare facility.
Planning consent was granted in late January 2025 to demolish the existing building and construct a two-storey replacement with community facilities. The development will include two Multi Use Games Areas, a grass sports pitch and playgrounds, an improved main access point off Cefn Lane, a secondary pedestrian access, and a car park with 43 spaces and five EV charging bays.
In March 2023, the project was announced as one of only three successful proposals in Wales to receive 100% grant funding (up to £15 million) from Welsh Government’s Sustainable Schools Challenge. It sought bids from all Local Authorities in Wales, seeking proposals that demonstrated innovative and collaborative design and development, and delivery of truly sustainable schools. As such, the Glyn-coch project will be at the forefront of sustainable development in Wales.
The Council is now pleased to announce that enabling works will start on site in the week commencing Monday, March 31. These will allow the main construction phase to follow on, starting from late April 2025.
Initial activity from next week will include survey works and the installation of welfare units for the contractor. The work site will also be established, by removing some of the existing metal boundary fence, installing fencing and hoardings around the site perimeter, and installing gates at the site entrance.
Minimal community disruption is expected from the works on site, which will be contained within the established work area. Some construction vehicles will be travelling to and from the site, but they are not anticipated to impact greatly upon local traffic. Residents living nearby will soon receive a letter to introduce the scheme, with regular correspondence following on throughout the project.
Learning at Craig yr Hesg Primary School will carry on as usual, with the new building being constructed on land adjacent to the existing school. Phase one of the construction phase will provide the new school, and phase two will demolish the old buildings to create the external elements of the school site.
Pupils, school staff and community groups have been involved in the design process from the start, and their input will continue to be sought – to ensure the school meets everyone’s needs. A Community Stakeholder Forum has also been established to shape the dedicated community facilities that the site offers, made up of local representatives and Council service areas.
Lynne Neagle, Cabinet Secretary for Education, said: “The beginning of site activity is an important step forward in the new school building development underway here at Glyn-coch. I am so pleased to see work on this innovative new primary school progressing so well thanks to over £15m of funding from our Sustainable Schools Challenge.
“What better way to embed our commitments towards reducing carbon emissions and tackling climate change, than for children, staff and communities to help with the design, build and management of this new zero carbon learning environment.”
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Inclusion, and the Welsh Language, added: “This fantastic project for Glyn-coch has made excellent progress so far in 2025, with the granting of planning permission in January now followed by the first works starting on site. The exciting development will provide a first-class learning environment for Cefn Primary and Craig yr Hesg Primary, replacing two older buildings and providing new opportunities for pupils in their education.
“Sustainability is at the heart of this development, which will achieve ‘Net Zero’ carbon in operation and be delivered to accredited green building standards. Its design includes technologies like rain gardens and nature-based solutions to managing surface water, with such environmental credentials demonstrated in our bid to the Sustainable Schools Challenge – from which we welcome the continuing support. Another very important part of the scheme is to enable community use for local people, groups and classes, with the design including three community rooms.
“The Glyn-coch project is the latest investment in local Education facilities in partnership with Welsh Government. It was one of nine projects reported to Cabinet, to be progressed thanks to a £414m funding commitment from Welsh Government over the next six years – with the others earmarked for Ysgol Cwm Rhondda, Ysgol Llanhari, Penrhys Primary, St John Baptist Church in Wales High School, Abernant Primary, Buarth y Capel, and a new Additional Learning Needs school in Clydach Vale. This follows several major projects delivered in the past year – £79.9m facilities for the Greater Pontypridd area and new schools at Llanilltud Faerdref Primary, Pontyclun Primary, Penygawsi Primary and YGG Llyn y Forwyn.
“Residents may notice the first site activity in Glyn-coch from March 31, and minimal disruption is expected to both the wider community and to the normal school day at Craig yr Hesg Primary. Thanks in advance to residents for their cooperation as this scheme is progressed, towards the delivery of a brand new school and community hub in 2026 that Glyn-coch can be proud of.”
