A planning application for two new primary schools in Tenby has been submitted. The £8.37 million investment in primary education in the south Pembrokeshire town was approved earlier this year. Pembrokeshire County Council plans to open two new schools on the current Tenby Junior School site at Heywood Lane. The application, which will be determined by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park authority, includes designs for a brand new three-11 English medium Voluntary Controlled Primary School building to be constructed next to the current Junior school. It also includes the refurbishment of the current Junior school to create a new three-11 Welsh medium Community Primary School. The current Tenby Infant School will be demolished. The cost of the £8.37 million project will be shared between the County Council and the Welsh Government's 21st Century Schools programme. "The planning application is the next step forward for this exciting project," said Clr. Ken Rowlands, cabinet member for children and schools. "These two new schools will provide children in the area with the very best educational start in life. "It also demonstrates the investment which county council is determined to continue to make into the education and future of our young people." The proposals were earlier approved by Huw Lewis, Minister for Education and Skills, who said: "The establishment of the new schools will promote a high standard of education provision, with purpose-built facilities for 21st century schools." His approval follows consultation by the county council with parents, staff and governors of the Tenby VC Infants School and Tenby Junior Community School in 2012 and the publication of a Statutory Notice in 2013. The new primary schools' catchment areas will remain the same as the areas currently shared by the present schools. Designed by the county council's in-house architects team, the new build English medium school will cater for 390 pupils and will have a designated religious character maintaining the role of the church in the provision of primary education in Tenby. It will also have a two-classroom unit for children with Special Educational Needs, a 30-place nursery classroom and 15 places accommodated within a mixed nursery/reception classroom. There will also be provision for an early years' playgroup. The capacity of the Welsh medium school will be 210 pupils, plus a 30-place nursery classroom, a quiet area and outdoor play facilities. It the planning application is approved, it is hoped that the new schools will be open for pupils from August 31, 2016.

'Cell Block H'

The new school plans were described as looking like 'Cell Block H' when Tenby Town Council discussed them in detail at their meeting on Tuesday night. Clr. Lawrence Blackhall expressed concerns in relation to the usable internal layout as he felt it was a curious piece of design, specifically highlighting the distance the hall is away from classrooms. Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown felt the school will not be large enough for the amount of children proposed for the future. Clr. Mrs. Keri Durham felt it was 'a shame and tragic' the beautiful infant school building was being demolished and questioned if there was an alternative community use for it. Clr. Mrs. Trisha Putwain also felt an alternative use for the infant school must be available. Clr. William Rossiter had reservations about the whole project and stated he did not agree with the proposal. Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas felt the decision on the school planning application/proposal had already been made. Clr. Trevor Hallett felt the external aspect of the building looked like 'Cell Block H'. He agreed that the infant school should not be knocked down. He noted the children's play area was fairly small and may cause problems when being used at different times for different age groups. Councillors continued to discuss a proposal in great depth, noting concerns in relation to traffic management concerns expressed previously. Clr. Dr. Easy felt Tenby should not be left behind without a new modern educational facility in the area. He felt statistical evidence was needed to say the school was physically not large enough for the proposed pupil figures in the future. He and Clr. Blackhall both felt the reason for the demolishing of the infant school to make a rugby field was due to the fact when a green space is built on another green space had to allocated. Following further discussion, Clr. Dr. Easy proposed the town council welcomed the modern purpose-built school for Tenby, however, they had reservations in relation to the internal design the possible future capacity and traffic management issues that had been highlighted previously. This was seconded by Clr. Blackhall and agreed.