RESIDENTS in the Vale of Clwyd fear that green spaces will be lost after studying plans for a new school site.
A consultation is currently taking place on proposals for a new school building in Denbigh.
Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn is a 3-19 school which provides specialist provision for pupils with autism.
The proposal is to bring three of the four current sites in Denbigh together in a purpose-built building and to increase the capacity of the school from 116 to 220 as demand for these specialist places increase.
The proposed site for the new build is the field next to Denbigh Leisure Centre, which is currently used by Denbigh High School.
However, residents have objected to the proposals, saying it would rob the community of its green space.
"I'm all for them having a new school," said one Denbigh resident, who didn't wish to be named.
"It's just that the community would lose a well used green space where lots of groups meet to play sport.
"I don't understand why it has to be on that field?
"There must be other sites that could be used for a new school."
The consultation on the proposal is open until Tuesday, October 18.
As part of this consultation, a drop-in session was held at Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn's Park Street site.
At this event, the plans were on display and members of the project team were available to discuss the project.
READ MORE: Chance to see Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn plans at Denbigh event
Cllr Gill German, Denbighshire's cabinet lead member for education, children and families services, said: “This proposed development forms part of the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning programme and £23.8 million has been allocated for this development.
“The council has also made a commitment to provide 25 per cent of the cost of the project, subject to approved business cases and highlights the commitment in our corporate plan to improve education facilities for our children and young people.
“There are a number of stages to go through, including this pre-planning consultation, the submission of the planning application, a bid to publish a statutory notice to increase the capacity of the school and a formal bid for funding.
“We’ll consider all the responses that are submitted as part of this pre-planning consultation.”
Anybody wishing to comment on the proposal can do so at www.cassidyashton.co.uk
Views previously submitted in any prior consultation must be resubmitted.
The plans and online form for comment are available at: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/ysgol-plas-brondyffryn-denbigh
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