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29/02/2024Tags
Aimee Thomas and BBCPhotos
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A community say they are in “disbelief” at plans to demolish a primary school five years after it was abandoned due to fears of a landslide.
In July 2019, Godre’r Graig Primary School near Pontardawe, Neath Port Talbot, was closed due to fears of a landslide from an old quarry tip.
Pupils are are still being taught from temporary cabins three miles away.
Neath Port Talbot council now plans to begin demolition on Friday, saying other options had been “ruled out”.
Parents and residents oppose the plans, saying the school is the “heart of the community” of Godre’r Graig, a small village in the Swansea valley.
They are calling on the council to remove the tip instead and reopen the building, either as a school or a community hub.
Lisa Williams and Bethan Thomas live in Godre’r Graig and both have children at the school.
Ms Thomas said: “My youngest has never experienced being in this school, she’s never experienced being part of a community in the way my older children have.
“She has to go on a coach three miles away, down to the comprehensive school, it’s a very intimidating experience.
“The lack of interaction with other parents, the lack of a community feel is really sad. We don’t have that anymore.”
Ms Williams said children had felt “a feeling of not belonging” since moving to the cabins.
She said she was “in disbelief” that people had been able to remain living on the same street as the school while the school had to be demolished.
“It’s completely nonsensical that we’re still in this situation five years on,” Ms Williams added.
Last year, the council scrapped controversial plans for a new “superschool” in the area, which would have included the closure of Godre’r Graig, Alltwen and Llangiwg primary schools.
Under the plans, those schools would have been replaced with a new central school for 630 full-time pupils and 140 part-time nursery pupils near Cwmtawe Community School, in Pontardawe.
Councillor Emyr Wyn Williams described the situation as a “nightmare” and has called on the council to remove the tip instead.
“There is so much uncertainty for us as residents. It’s absolutely terrible,” he said.
“There is money available to remove coal and quarry tips and we just need the council to take action.”
He added: “The shops have gone, the pub has gone, this building is all we have.
“If they are determined that a new school is needed, I accept that. But the school building will be perfect for a community hub.
“The building still needs to be here. Ideally we would like to see the school reopen, but the building is the important thing.”
In 2021, a report commissioned by the council estimated the cost of removing the tip would be £6m.
The report identified “a medium level risk from a quarry spoil tip near the school, which is affected by ground water”.
But residents were told the landslide risk to their properties was low to very low.
Susie Davis, chair of governors at Godre’r Graig Primary School, said there were “so many unanswered questions”.
“We were promised the school wouldn’t be demolished until we found another permanent home, but five years on and we’re still in temporary accommodation,” she said.
Neath Port Talbot council said demolition plans were approved on 2 December “after alternatives including removal of the quarry spoil tip and the building of a retaining structure above the school to catch any falling material were ruled out”.
A spokesman added the council was seeking permission to build a £17m English-medium replacement for Godre’r Graig Primary School at Gnoll Road, Godre’rgraig, providing 210 full-time and 30 part-time nursery places.
