**Major Step Forward for New Special School in Llanelli as Council Considers Expansion Options**
A significant development has emerged regarding the long-anticipated replacement of the specialist Ysgol Heol Goffa in Llanelli, a project that has been the subject of campaigning and community debate for several years. Two substantial proposals are now on the table, both seeking to address the ongoing issue of over-subscription at the current school and to provide enhanced educational facilities for children with additional learning needs (ALN) in the region.
Carmarthenshire County Council’s cabinet member for education, Cllr Glynog Davies, revealed that the council will conduct a more detailed investigation into two new options for the future of ALN provision in Llanelli. These proposals include either the construction of a new 150-pupil school, with additional specialist centres for children on the autistic spectrum integrated into mainstream settings, or the creation of a larger, unified 250-pupil school specifically designed to meet the growing demand.
The site initially earmarked for the replacement school was the former Draka copperworks, with original plans drawn up several years ago. However, these plans were unexpectedly halted last year when the council cited spiralling construction costs as the main barrier to progress. This decision caused disappointment among those campaigning for upgraded ALN facilities, prompting the local authority to commission an independent evaluation of ALN provision in Llanelli.
Published earlier this year, the findings of the review, spearheaded by consultant and former head of ALN for Vale of Glamorgan Council, David Davies, suggested six potential options for improving ALN services in the area. The council has now narrowed its focus to two preferred choices, both of which represent a considerable expansion of provision compared to the oft-oversubscribed Ysgol Heol Goffa.
Reflecting on these proposals, Cllr Davies commented on the importance of future-proofing ALN services in Carmarthenshire. “We must avoid a situation where a new school is already full the day it opens,” he said. “Despite serious financial pressures, our commitment is to secure the best possible provision for local ALN pupils, ensuring that the facilities are suitable for generations to come.” Davies also emphasised that the council will work with the Welsh Government to investigate all available funding streams for the project.
However, the process has hit a minor roadblock, as decisions have been temporarily stalled due to the upcoming by-election in Llanelli’s Lliedi ward, now scheduled for late May. This development has pushed back the formal presentation of options to the local cabinet, although Cllr Davies remains confident that progress will resume after the election period.
Reaction from local campaigners suggests a broadly positive response to the council’s renewed commitment. Hannah Coles, who chairs the Ysgol Heol Goffa Action Committee and is herself a parent of a current pupil, called the announcement “really positive”, highlighting that acknowledgement from the authority of the acute need for a new facility marks a vital milestone. She went on to voice support for the larger 250-place school, noting, “Demand is rising, not just here but across the country. Our current school has a significant waiting list, and it’s essential that we don’t find ourselves in the same position a decade from now.”
The independent report underpinning these decisions outlined a striking increase in the number of young people in Wales being identified as needing ALN and particularly those with autistic spectrum conditions. Consultant David Davies described this as an “exponential rise” over recent years – and called for robust and timely action so that no child is left behind.
Observations contained in the report also reflect the deeply rooted appreciation for Ysgol Heol Goffa within the local community, whose active support the school continues to attract. Nonetheless, concerns remain about the adequacy of the existing building, with Mr Davies concluding unequivocally that, “There is no doubt that the learning environment at Ysgol Heol Goffa is not currently fit for purpose and that this must be addressed as a priority.”
As parents and campaigners wait for the next steps and decision-makers weigh up financial and logistical constraints, the future of specialist education in Llanelli appears to be entering a decisive new phase. The coming months will reveal which of the ambitious options becomes reality, as the council seeks to secure a setting where every child can receive the care and education they deserve.