Rugby pitch saved from axe as school expansion plans reviewed

Controversial plans to expand Trinity Fields School are being reviewed, the leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council has announced.

Plans, approved by councillors in April 2021, would have seen the special educational needs school expanded at the expense of a neighbouring rugby field.

However, council leader Sean Morgan has said the local authority is now looking at ways to expand the school without having to sacrifice the playing field.

Under the original plans, the pitch, where Penallta RFC play, would have been replaced by a new playing field at Sue Noake Leisure Centre – but this was fiercely opposed by the club and residents due to a longstanding issue with sewage on the site.

Writing in his online blog for Caerphilly Observer, Cllr Morgan said: “Alternative plans are being considered for the extension of this flagship special needs school in Ystrad Mynach. The original proposal would have led to the loss of an adjacent sports pitch to accommodate the planned extension works, so we are now looking at new options to deliver the scheme with less impact on the surrounding area.”

He continued: “The amazing staff at Trinity Fields support the most vulnerable children and young people in our community, but the school needs to grow because we are seeing an increasing demand for places. However, I have also listened to the concerns raised by the community about the potential loss of green space, so we need to find an alternative solution.

“Talks are ongoing with the school, but I’m confident that options can be agreed which allows us to increase capacity at the school without requiring the loss of the nearby sports pitch.”

He added: “We will provide further updates in due course, but I’m sure the whole community will welcome this positive news.”

Ystrad Mynach resident Phil Morris has long campaigned against the loss of the rugby pitch.

Posting on the Ystrad Mynach Facebook group, which he runs, following the announcement, he said: “To the hugely supportive residents of our local communities, the expats with Ystrad and Penallta coursing through their veins, our uniquely special Penallta RFC and its fiercely resourceful leadership team, the diversely talented members of Save Ystrad Mynach Greenspace group, our local government representatives and in particular our superstars Scott Lowe and Natalie Sargent – who gave absolutely everything to this campaign – a campaign simply to be heard.

“Can you believe we did it? We actually did it.

“And just to give you an insight into what these groups are all about… do you know what all the key people involved in this have said immediately after hearing CCBC’s dramatic change in direction this morning? They said it’s time to focus our efforts to do everything in our power to ensure Trinity Fields pupils get the world class facilities they deserve.”

Mr Morris continued: “This has always been about a solution which addresses the best interests of everyone involved and nobody should lose sight of that.

“Let’s hope, finally, we can all now unite behind that common goal and enable Trinity Fields to expand and flourish long into the future.”

Caerphilly’s Labour Senedd Member, Hefin David, who is on the governing body at Trinity Fields, also welcomed the news and said: “I’ve been working with Penallta RFC and Save Ystrad Mynach Green Space group for some time and, as a parent of a child with additional learning needs and a resident of Ystrad Mynach, I’m delighted with this outcome.”

He added: “It’s very good to see that Trinity Fields can now expand without encroaching on Penallta rugby pitch or other green spaces.”