Education authorities in Carmarthenshire have finally made a breakthrough in the long search for a site for a replacement primary school in Llanelli. After years of anticipation, it is being considered whether the Llanelli Leisure Centre site could be the new home for Ysgol Dewi Sant. This potential move comes as the leisure centre is set to be relocated to the upcoming Pentre Awel health and well-being development at Delta Lakes. Councillor Glynog Davies, responsible for education and Welsh language in the cabinet, revealed that officers will be evaluating the suitability of the site and developing a proposal to an outline planning stage. The outcome of this planning will determine the feasibility of housing the new Ysgol Gymraeg Dewi Sant building on the leisure centre site.
Plans for a new Ysgol Dewi Sant were initially approved seven years ago for recreational land in Llanerch, but the £9.1 million project was postponed due to concerns raised by residents, which were under review by the Welsh Government. Subsequent discussions in 2020 led to the cancellation of the plan after consultations with school governors and staff. Last year, council leader Darren Price reiterated the importance of a new school and efforts to find suitable sites continued. Michael Bassett, the chairman of Ysgol Dewi Sant’s governing body, expressed gratitude for the ongoing search for a suitable site and welcomed the investigations into the potential new location, emphasizing the school’s commitment to promoting the Welsh language in the community.
If the Llanelli Leisure Centre site is deemed viable, the next steps would involve securing approval from the Welsh Government through business cases and conducting consultations. The current Ysgol Dewi Sant, located on Bryndulais Avenue, accommodates approximately 440 students and has received praise from Estyn inspectors for maintaining high teaching standards. Local representatives, such as Cllr Rob James and Cllr Suzy Curry, have voiced their support for the proposal, with conditions like the development of new access roads to manage school-related traffic in the area.
Engagement with residents, students, parents, and school staff is deemed crucial in the decision-making process, as highlighted by Llanelli Town Council leader David Darkin. The potential relocation of Ysgol Dewi Sant raises hopes for a major capital project, pending feasibility assessments. Additionally, there are concerns that any progress on a new Ysgol Dewi Sant should not compromise the prospects of a new Ysgol Heol Goffa special school, pending a decision following a review of additional learning needs in the region.
Political figures like Llanelli MP Nia Griffith and MS Lee Waters have also expressed their support for the proposed school developments, urging for efficient decision-making and contingency planning to avoid delays seen in past projects. The community eagerly awaits further updates on the potential relocation and the positive impact it could have on educational standards and language promotion in Llanelli. Through a collaborative approach involving all stakeholders, the vision of a new and improved educational facility in the area is one step closer to realization, promising a brighter future for students and the wider community.