Council takes legal action to safeguard the delivery of new primary school and community allotments

Bridgend County Borough Council has confirmed that it is to take further legal action to ensure that residents of Kenfig Hill do not miss out on a multi-million pound investment which aims to provide replacement premises for Mynydd Cynnfig Primary School as well as an all-new community allotment site featuring 26 fully equipped plots.

The council is carrying out the action after users of the current allotments, which are located on council-owned land behind Pwllygath Street in Kenfig Hill, did not comply with a previous legal notice asking them to vacate the site by 29 September 2023.

As this date has now passed, the council is issuing a further legal notice ahead of potential court action informing the plot holders that the site must be vacated by 11 March 2024.

At the same time, the council is proceeding with plans to provide the plot holders with an all-new, purpose-built allotment site packed with new facilities. Located on the opposite side of the new primary school, the new site will feature modern security fencing and enhanced access to plots.

Each individual plot will feature high-quality soil guaranteed to meet specific standards, a hardstanding space complete with a new shed, a water butt, new timber fencing, gated access and a chicken coop.

Meanwhile, the new premises for Mynydd Cynffig Primary School will replace the current ageing building with modern educational facilities capable of supporting up to 420 local children along with a 75-place nursery.

This is all about providing the people of Kenfig Hill with new facilities, not taking away existing ones. We know that the current allotments have been in place for a long time and appreciate that the transition period will cause some unavoidable short-term inconvenience, but you only have to look at the illustration for the new allotment site to know that this is going to be a high quality, permanent community facility which will be fully equipped to meet the plot holders’ needs.

At the same time, moving the allotment site a relatively short distance will ensure that we can provide the community of Kenfig Hill with a fantastic modern primary school and nursery, and that local children will be able to benefit from the very best start in life that we can provide. We have previously asked the allotment holders to work alongside us on the delivery of these plans. Since 2021, we have held numerous meetings, have answered all questions put before us, and have discussed the proposals in close detail. We have demonstrated how the new allotment site will continue to be locally based, have outlined what sort of new facilities they can expect, and have shared details on the ecology and traffic reports, the timeline for the required works, the site layout, the lease arrangements and much more.

Under these plans, local children will no longer have to rely upon ageing school infrastructure that has served its purpose. Issues regarding the use of temporary classrooms or the school’s former split-site status will be resolved, and the community will continue to be able to benefit from having accessible, well-equipped local allotment facilities close at hand. The fact that we are now having to reluctantly issue a further legal notice is hugely disappointing as such action has always been viewed as a last resort. We cannot allow these plans to be delayed any longer, not when they represent such significant benefit for the whole community. We have done everything in our power to present a win-win situation for all concerned. I hope that the allotment holders will recognise this, and that they will support us now as we seek to deliver this multi-million pound investment for the people of Kenfig Hill.

Deputy Leader Jane Gebbie