100-home development on former Oakdale Comprehensive site backed

Oakdale Comprehensive School closed in 2017

Plans to build 100 new homes on the site of the former Oakdale Comprehensive School have been backed by the council’s cabinet – but planning permission is yet to be granted.

What is Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet?

A council’s cabinet is made up of councillors in charge of different policy areas – such as education, environment, local economy, etc – and a leader.

It is separate to the council’s corporate management structure, which is headed up by its chief executive and various directors. Cabinet is made up of councillors, who are elected and have the ultimate say.

Typically, cabinet members are councillors from the party with the most elected council members.

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet is made up of:

Cllr Sean Morgan (Nelson) – Leader
Cllr Jamie Pritchard (Morgan Jones) – Deputy Leader; Prosperity, Regeneration and Climate Change
Cllr Nigel George (Risca East) – Corporate Services and Property
Cllr Eluned Stenner (New Tredegar) – Finance and Performance
Cllr Carol Andrews (Gilfach) – Education and Communities
Cllr Shayne Cook (Morgan Jones) – Housing
Cllr Elaine Forehead (Van) – Social Care
Cllr Philippa Leonard (Risca East) – Planning and Public Protection
Cllr Chris Morgan (Machen and Rudry) – Waste, Leisure and Green Spaces

Corporate management is made up of unelected employees of the council and has responsibility for day-to-day management of services, such as making sure the bins are collected. Corporate directors work with cabinet members to come up with policy which is then agreed upon by the cabinet.

_{Last updated October 13, 2023}

An outline planning application was submitted to Caerphilly County Borough Council by the council’s own Caerphilly Homes in December.

A decision on the application will now be made by the council’s planning committee on March 23.

At a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, February 23, senior councillors expressed their support for the proposed development.

Council leader Cllr Philippa Marsden, described the plans as a “flagship development” which will be used as a blueprint for future developments.

Cllr Andrew Whitcombe, Cabinet Member for Sustainability, Planning and Fleet, said the plans underline the ruling Labour group’s commitment to providing social housing in the borough.

At least 50% of the homes will be affordable – meaning low cost home ownership and social housing – the remainder will go on the open market.

The development aims to be net-zero carbon and is dubbed as an “eco village”.

Cllr Shayne Cook, Cabinet Member for Housing and Social Care, said: “Tackling the climate emergency and reducing energy bills for our residents has never been more important. These innovative net zero carbon developments will have a massive impact in delivering this.”

Cllr Jamie Pritchard, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Property, described the plans as music to his ears, while Cllr Colin Gordon, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, said building the carbon-free homes was a “no brainer”.

The number of houses and apartments, design details and the site layout will be finalised in the coming months when a “reserved matters” planning application is submitted.

The council will be seeking a social housing grant if the planning application is approved.

Oakdale Comprehensive School closed in June 2017. It joined with Pontllanfraith Comprehensive, with the two schools merging as one at the £25m Islwyn High School, which opened on the site of the former Oakdale Colliery.

Jaggery

100-home development on former school backed by council cabinet

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