Plans have been submitted to build a new primary school on the site of the former Ysgol Glanadda in Bangor.
Gwynedd Council carried out an in-depth review of its primary schools resulting in the report “Review of Education Provision in Bangor Catchment Area” in January 2017, which led to consultation on the future of schools in the Bangor catchment area. As part of the next phase, the full capacity Ysgol Ei’n Harglwyddes – Our Lady’s Primary School, will be relocated onto the Ysgol Glanadda site, which is currently vacant following the closure of the school and their relocation to the new Ysgol y Garnedd School.
The new school will provide space for 150 pupils, 20 nursery spaces and 30 spaces within the Cylch Meithrin for pupils from 2 to 11 years of age. The school is located to the Southwest of Bangor’s City centre, accessed off Caernarfon Road via Church Street. Our Lady’s School currently operates within a confined building and site, making day to day teaching and learning a challenge. The existing building is nearing the end of its serviceable life and has ongoing maintenance issues.
A Planning Application for the Demolition of the existing Ysgol Glanadda has already been submitted following an arson attack.
An open public consultation event was held at Our Lady’s School in July 2022, where local residents, councillors, parents, pupils and teachers attended. The information gathered from all parties at the meeting was described as “very useful” and has been considered as part of the design development.
This planning application seeks consent for a new single storey school building with 5 classrooms, 1 Nursery classroom and 1 Cylch Meithrin for a maximum of 200 pupils. The new school is to replace the existing Our Lady’s School on the existing Ysgol Glanadda site where the building will be demolished to make way for an improved external realm and landscape proposal that will support the school’s curriculum delivery.
On a highly restricted, elevated site the landscape design will create a vibrant, stimulating and safe environment consisting of a balance between hard and soft play areas where pupils will be encouraged to move around the enclosed environment as much as possible and interact with natural elements such as in the existing Woodland / Forest Zone, raised planting beds and interactive water features. To underscore this green approach a small area is given over entirely to a new School Garden where pupils can grow their own plants and learn simple horticultural techniques.
The creation of a new outdoor amphitheatre for teaching and performance will draw pupils out of the classrooms and designated play areas.
Vehicle access
The scheme creates an improved access road into the site off Caernarfon Road with a new car park near the sports field along with some provisions in front of the school. This will consist of 22 standard parking bays. The majority of the spaces have been located away from the front entrance where possible as this provides a clear turning head for vehicles when required. By moving parking spaces off the main entrance route, it assists in the management of vehicles during the busier periods.
Full planning details are available here: https://amg.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/planning/index.html?fa=getApplication&id=33490
