GODRE'R GRAIG PRIMARY SCHOOL
Why did NPTCBC undertake assessments on the land behind Godre'r Graig School?
Godre'r Graig Primary school was closed on 11 the July 2019. On this day Neath Port Talbot Council said
"Godre’r Graig Primary School has been closed after geological experts found there was a potential landslide risk to the school’s playground.
Earth Science Partnership (ESP), the experts commissioned by Neath Port Talbot Council, discovered there is a medium level risk from a quarry spoil tip near the school after the Council asked them to extend their extensive landslide risk investigation work carried out in nearby Pantteg, Ystalyfera"
and a day later on the 12th July
The Council was yesterday acting in response to early information received from our specialist geotechnical advisers. Our main focus is the hazard linked directly with the quarry spoil above the school playground"
On the 8 November 2022 a public meeting was held and the authority provided the following answers
In 2019 there was not a great deal of information about the councils rational to provide advice to close the school immediately, however it is stated that
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Geological experts that there was a potential landslide risk to the schools playground from a quarry spoil tip
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The investigations was linked to other work on landslides in the general valley area and the findings of the work in Pantteg
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The council is acting in response to early information received and an initial opinion on stability was requested in Spring 2017.
The Geological experts; Earth Science Partnership who provided the advice state on their website
"Godre’ graig has a long history of ground movements, however the school lies outside the large post-glacial landslide that is well documented".
If land behind the school is not located in or near the well documented area of post glacial landslide and no one has seen any visual movements or raised concerns, what was the council rational to study the land?
In 2023/23 i made numerous freedom of information requests to NPTCBC, which are provided below.
In relation to the 2016/17 request from the Director of Education what specifically in the findings of the work in Pantteg gave concerns relating to the safety go Godre'r Graig school ?
"I am not sure about the specific findings but following the Pantteg Report the question was raised about the hillside above the school. I am not sure of the specific date"
How is the authority able to tell us of the request if you have no record?
"The local authority does not hold and records in respect of any written request from the Director of Education, Leisure and lifelong Learning so is unable to confirm the specific date the matter raised. However, based on staff recollections, I am advised that a verbal enquiry had been raised enquiring about the safety of the tip above the school and subsequently Engineering officers were asked to commission the study'"
I have been given a copy of the authorities response dated 17th Jone 2023 to a letter sent by the Governing body, In your response you refer to a review "The review concluded that the decision to investigate the stability of the quarry tip arose legitimately from work that had been taking place at Pantteg..." Could you provide a copy of that review?
"The Pantteg project was the stimulus for NPTCBC to review other BGS recorded landslides in the Swansea Valley. A separate appraisal of the school sites was undertaken by the by the Education Department, who subsequently, also requested information about the stability of the hill side above the School"
My request was for a copy of the review, please provide a copy as requested. I note you refer to a separate appraisal of school sites was undertaken, please provide a copy of that appraisal.
Officers have confirmed that all technical reviews or documents prepared/undertaken relating to this particular point are included on the councils website. I am informed that the appraisals referred to are those which are already in the public domain on the website.
I am advised that the review of the school sites was through an officer meeting where the condition surveys of the local schools were considered and discussed - please see the information attached which includes the school sites in question"