Bridgend County Borough Council has given the green light to a long-running scheme to build a new primary school in Kenfig Hill, approving plans for a 420-place primary with an attached 75-place nursery (FTE) on the site of the former Mynydd Cynffig Junior School.
What the development will include
The multi-million-pound proposal requires the demolition of the existing junior school on Pwllygath Street, together with an adjacent Air Training Corps building and an allotment area. The cleared land will be redeveloped to provide school buildings and associated facilities.
- Replacement 420-place primary school
- 75-place nursery (full‑time equivalent)
- Two all‑weather sports pitches
- Play areas, open space and landscaping
- Parking and community‑use facilities
- Relocation of existing allotments to a new site behind the development
The council report says the scheme is to be delivered in three phases and that the new buildings have been designed for wider community use.
Local concerns and responses
Planning officers recorded a mix of public feeling about the plans. One representation supported the proposal, while four objections were lodged. Objections centred on possible noise from added traffic, potential light pollution from floodlighting, and the effect of parking restrictions on residents who currently park at the rear of properties on Pwllygath Street.
“The proposal includes a 420‑space replacement primary school which would include a 75‑place nursery (full‑time equivalent),”
In response, the council noted the floodlighting component has been removed from the scheme. It also said that time‑limited parking controls would reduce but not eliminate on‑street parking near a local garage behind Pwllygath Street.
Why this matters locally
For families in Kenfig Hill the new school will mean modern classrooms and improved outdoor facilities. The decision also settles a controversy that began in 2024 when allotment members were moved from their plots — a move that prompted public backlash at the time. Under the approved plans the allotments will be relocated to a new area adjacent to the proposed school building.
The unconditional support from the planning committee — the application was approved unanimously in July — clears the way for the council to begin the phased redevelopment. Local residents will want to watch the timetable for construction, any traffic management plans while works are under way, and details of how access to the replacement allotments will be secured.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary school places | 420 |
| Nursery (FTE) | 75 |
| Phasing | Three phases |
| Key site features | Two all‑weather pitches, play areas, parking, landscaping |
Residents seeking more information should contact Bridgend County Borough Council planning department for the approved plans and any public consultation materials that were submitted with the application.
The approval marks a significant step in replacing ageing school accommodation in the village and aims to provide facilities that can be used by both pupils and the wider community.
