PLANS to install more portable cabins at a Cardiff school which continues to await news on its future can now go ahead.
Cardiff Council agreed that a contract for the provision of temporary units for Cathays High School be awarded to Portacabin Ltd.
The decision means the plans for the removal of a two0-class block and its replacement with a six-class block at the school can go ahead.
Installing the temporary cabins is part of the planned increase in capacity of Cathays High from 1,072 places to 1,450 places.
The news comes as the school waits to see what will happen to plans for a new building which are dependant on a decision from the Charity Commission on a proposed land swap that would allow land at Maindy Park to be used for the scheme.
A Cardiff Council spokesperson said: “The council consulted in 2021 on proposals to increase the capacity of Cathays High School from 1,072 places (5.5 forms of entry with 247 sixth form places) to 1,450 places (8 Forms of Entry with 250 sixth form places) from September, 2023.
“The increase to the published admission number from 165 places to 240 places at entry to the school has been implemented and has been consulted upon annually as part of the council’s admissions policy.
“As part of that implementation this is the final additional temporary provision that will be required.
“The planned temporary accommodation will include the removal of a two-class block and replacement with a six-class block.”
“The local authority is continuing to look at options for the creation of a new-build home for Cathays High School, creating a long-term solution to meet future demand for places at the school, while at the same time replacing the current school buildings with a modern learning environment and providing facilities for pupils in the local community.”
Plans to expand Cathays High into land at Maindy Park has been opposed by campaigners for years as it would mean the demolition of Maindy Velodrome.
As the land that the velodrome sits on is held in trust, under the charity Maindy Park Trust, the council proposed a land swap that would see land at Maindy Park exchanged for land at Caedelyn Park in Rhiwbina.
An independent advisory committee was set up in 2022 to make a recommendation to cabinet members on the land swap.
A recommendation to go ahead with the land swap was made and approved by the council’s cabinet in 2023.
However, the council still awaits a decision from the Charity Commission on whether or not it can go ahead with the land swap.
Cardiff Council also confirmed early this year that it is engaging with the UK Government’s property unit over the future of the offices on Crown Way in Gabalfa.
The land, which is next to the current Cathays High site, is considered as a potential solution to the dispute over where the new school should be built by campaigners opposed to the demolition of Maindy Velodrome.
