Plans submitted for new £30m Llangatwg Community School building

Neath Port Talbot Council has submitted plans for a brand-new building to replace Llangatwg Community School in Cadoxton — part of its ongoing Strategic School Improvement Programme (SSIP).

The proposed development would see the existing site transformed into a modern, purpose-built English-medium secondary school for up to 850 pupils, including dedicated provision for those with additional learning needs.

It’s the latest in a series of major education investments across the county borough, following our earlier reporting on five new schools proposed under a £106m funding bid. If approved, construction is expected to begin in early 2026.

A council spokesperson said:

“The vision for the new school is to provide a high-quality, flexible learning environment that supports the delivery of the Curriculum for Wales, while also offering enhanced facilities for both pupils and the wider community.”

Plans include state-of-the-art classrooms, science labs, IT suites, roof terrace learning areas, and a central learning resource centre. The school would also feature a sports hall, performance space, vocational workshops and conference rooms — many with potential for community use.

Outdoor facilities would include two sports pitches, three multi-use games areas, a forest school, and even a greenhouse and food growing area. Transport and access have been carefully considered, with designated drop-off zones, EV charging points, and accessible parking.

The design meets the Welsh Government’s Net Zero Carbon in Operation standards and targets an embodied carbon footprint of just 600kgCO₂/m², developed in collaboration with ecology, landscaping and drainage specialists.

The new school would replace a building currently rated Category C- for condition, with £6.8 million in backlog maintenance and accessibility costs. Council leaders say the investment will help raise educational standards, improve accessibility, and create a more inclusive, community-focused campus.

Author

Kit Peters

Kit Peters is a journalist and the editor of Swansea Bay News, covering Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire since 2020.