**Approval Granted for Two New Schools in Cornelly Area of Bridgend**
Work is set to begin on two brand new schools in Cornelly, Bridgend, after Bridgend County Borough Council gave the go-ahead for ambitious plans aimed at modernising and enhancing educational provision in the region. The proposals form a core part of the local authority’s school modernisation scheme, a project designed to deliver improved facilities and resources for local children and families.
At a recent planning committee meeting, councillors unanimously supported the development of a new English-medium primary school to serve the North Cornelly community. This new facility will replace both Corneli Primary School and Afon Y Felin Primary School, bringing them together into a single, modern institute located near Heol-Y-Parc. According to details revealed at the meeting, the new school will feature a two-form entry structure, enabling it to educate almost 500 children. Additionally, the plans incorporate a 60-place nursery, a resource centre designed for 15 pupils with additional learning needs, a new sports field, a multi-functional games area, and upgraded parking arrangements, including three drop-off bays to assist children with learning support needs.
The two-storey building is designed to create a welcoming and practical environment for both students and staff. With an internal floorspace totalling 2,916 square metres, the school will be staffed by approximately 47 full-time teaching staff members, expanding the employment opportunities within the community.
Shortly after green-lighting the first development, councillors turned their attention to a second significant project for the area. The Welsh-medium primary school, Ysgol y Ferch o’r Sgêr, is also set to benefit from modernised premises as part of the redevelopment plans. The new development, which will be situated on the site currently occupied by Corneli Primary School, aims to provide capacity for 420 pupils and offer a 60-place Welsh-medium nursery. As with the English-medium school, plans include outdoor sports facilities and a flexible play area to support both sporting and recreational activities.
A notable aspect of this scheme is the inclusion of the existing integrated children’s centre, which will remain in situ as part of the overall vision for the site. This move demonstrates a commitment to maintaining vital support services for young children and families during the expansion.
However, the committee’s consideration of the new Welsh-medium school included an added layer of complexity. Public consultation is ongoing regarding proposed changes to the school’s bus drop-off and pick-up arrangements, with plans to relocate the main area from Greenfield Terrace to Hall Drive. Some committee members voiced concern about making a formal decision before the close of public feedback, stating they would have preferred to wait until the consultation concluded.
Council officers emphasised that moving forward more rapidly was essential due to tight deadlines required to deliver the new school infrastructure. They reassured committee members and the public that any material planning concerns arising from the ongoing consultation (which ends on 13 August 2025) would be brought back for further committee consideration if deemed necessary.
In the end, councillors opted for a compromise: they voted to indicate their provisional approval for the Welsh-medium school project, subject to any further conditions or issues raised by the consultation. This approach enables preparations and planning to proceed, while still allowing for public views and concerns to play a part in shaping the final development.
These projects mark a significant investment in Bridgend’s education sector, reflecting both the growing needs of the Cornelly area and the council’s ambition to offer modern, inclusive, and well-equipped learning environments for future generations. Local families and stakeholders will be watching closely as the plans progress, keen to see how these new schools will benefit the community and help meet the evolving demands of education in Wales.