Construction has formally begun on the replacement Llangatwg Community School in Cadoxton, Neath, after a ceremonial turf-cutting took place on Monday 13 July. The project, procured through the South West Wales Regional Contractors Framework, is being delivered by Morgan Sindall Construction on behalf of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and will represent a major upgrade to local secondary provision.
What the new school will deliver
The council says the new building will replace existing accommodation that had been rated in poor condition and will provide modern learning spaces for up to 850 students. The scheme is valued at £53 million and is scheduled for completion in spring 2029.
- General teaching classrooms and specialist design and technology suites
- Vocational facilities including hairdressing and construction classrooms
- Indoor sports hall and extensive outdoor sports provision
Outdoor facilities planned include a full-size 3G rugby pitch, a junior 3G football pitch, a three-court multi-use games area and a specialist 100-metre sprint track. The main building will be constructed from a traditional steel frame with brickwork and cladding elevations, intended to provide a robust asset for the community.
Sustainability and design partners
Sustainability features are embedded in the design. Roof space will be maximised for photovoltaic solar panels and the building will use air source heat pumps, measures the council says will enable the school to operate at Net Zero Carbon on completion and achieve an EPC A rating. Morgan Sindall is working with an integrated design team including Curtins, Troup Bywaters + Anders and Austin Smith Lord.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Estimated cost | £53 million |
| Capacity | Up to 850 pupils |
| Completion | Spring 2029 |
Council leaders and school representatives attended the turf-cutting to mark the start of works, underscoring the authority’s commitment to improving educational infrastructure across the county. Appointed through the South West Wales Regional Contractors Framework, the procurement route is commonly used by councils in the region to speed up delivery while meeting public-sector requirements.
For parents and local residents, the new building is intended to replace ageing accommodation with fit-for-purpose facilities that support both academic and vocational pathways. The inclusion of industry-style classrooms such as hairdressing and construction reflects a continuing emphasis on preparing young people for a range of post-school options.
Work on the site will be managed by Morgan Sindall alongside consultants and engineers. The council has set out an ambition that the building will provide a durable, high-quality environment "for generations to come" and that sustainability measures will reduce both operational carbon and energy costs once the school opens.
Further details on phasing, traffic management around the site and arrangements for the current school while construction proceeds are expected to be shared by the council as the programme advances. Local families and stakeholders will be kept informed through the council’s usual communications channels.
