Had a chance to visit the Waterfront area recently. Here are some photos.

South Quay apartments under construction:
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/3117/sa1waterfron01uf1.jpg

New office block at the Kings Road entrance:
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/3758/sa1waterfron02zw3.jpg

Cyprium building
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/6499/sa1waterfron03gi8.jpg

Norwegian Church
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/2290/sa1waterfron04is1.jpg

J-Shed
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/8950/sa1waterfron05iv2.jpg

Completed Apartments on the west side
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/748/sa1waterfron06zu0.jpg

South Quay apartments under construction
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/3598/sa1waterfron07ua9.jpg

J-Shed
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/1440/sa1waterfron08rd0.jpg

New office under construction
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/600/sa1waterfron09ig1.jpg

I love that office block, though the white block next to it is a bit plain. But i suppose having all the building in the glazing would detract from the curved part. I hope more buildings of this quality will be built

I popped over to the marina to the Meridian Quay development as well. It seems to be coming along nicely. It was quite surprising how close to the road the curved tower is too. It is merely feet away.

The Harbour Square development area is fenced off now. So that seems like it's really happening. Not much to see there at the moment. Had a look at the supposed leisure area. It didn't seem like there is any activity was happening there.

Photos of Meridian Quay
http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/4808/meridianquayny4.jpg

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/8720/meridianquay2dl9.jpg

Great pics Sooty. I was down that way today, should have snapped some pics with my phone camera! Aurora at Swansea Point is also making decent progress. No signs of equipment at The Moorings, though work did seem to be taking place before Xmas.

looking good pondle

some of those apartments have street level activity planned as well....

Yes there are commercial units planned at the base of The Moorings and Meridian Quay, I believe. I don't think South Quay has any though. Whether they will be viable at MQ is another matter. Historically businesses at the marina haven't done well because of a lack of footfall / car parking. Perhaps the mixed use redevelopment of Paxton St car park close to MQ will bring more life to the area.

Had a stroll around the Marina this morning and saw a bit more progress on the developments. Took these snaps with my phone cam:

Meridian Quay:
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/552/meridianquaywt3.jpg

Leisure Centre under refurbishment:
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/2063/lc2vo9.jpg

I must say, the leisure centre exterior looks a lot better now than it did before with the painted concrete skeleton, the wood panelling and the new glass. They old grey exterior was plan ugly.

It's not a good day for Swansea waterfront... can someone shed any light on what the hell is happening is the story below:

APARTMENT BLOCK BUILDING WORK HALTED BY ASSEMBLY
Be the first reader to comment on this story

09:00 - 16 February 2008

Assembly development officials have come under fire after work on a £27 million luxury apartment block in Swansea suddenly ground to halt. Builders at the South Quay complex in SA1 were stunned when they were told to down tools by the Assembly.

Developers Quest Property are thought to have lost tens of thousands of pounds because of the stoppage. The reasons behind the move have not been confirmed.

Company director Matthew Stephens said: "We are very disappointed with this. "We are holding talks with our solicitors and are now considering taking legal action."

Around 150 workers were affected by the sudden brake on work on Thursday morning. A fence was put around the site and access in and out of King's Road was prevented. One builder, who did not wish to be named, said: "I couldn't believe what we were seeing."

Nobody from the Assembly was available for comment.

It's not a good day for Swansea waterfront... can someone shed any light on what the hell is happening is the story below:


Yeah I read that in the paper today.. Seems odd considering the main build is almost finished.

Nice shots, it's clearly changed a lot since I was last in Swansea. The leisure centre actually looks quite smart.

really liking the leisure center, still a bit unconnected to the streetscape, though that area doesnt have much of a streetscape and its maybe this that helps to disconnect the waterfront from the city center. Would be nice to see a development around it to intergrate it a bit better.

that area doesnt have much of a streetscape and its maybe this that helps to disconnect the waterfront from the city center. Would be nice to see a development around it to intergrate it a bit better.

That's the plan in the new city centre strategic framework - Oystermouth Road should become a boulevard with more active frontages. The consultants also propose a crossing square/traffic gyratory (a bit like Callaghan Square in Cardiff) at Museum Green, which is near the LC.

The framework doc's technical appendices (http://www.swanseacitycentre.com/media/pdf/2/j/CCSF_technical_appendices.pdf) have more info on the various proposals.

the leisure centre is really impressive. it is all lit up at night when you drive past.

friends and families of the staff are already using it and testing everything out so will be open to the public in a few weeks.

the aurora tower on swansea point is also well impressive too. this tower will have incrediable views over swansea bay and mumbles because it is so close to the beach and it will overlook the entrance to the lock on the river to see all the boats.

Yeah I read that in the paper today.. Seems odd considering the main build is almost finished.

From what I've gathered, it appeared that WAG decided to fully open King's Road (which leads to nowhere), which invalidated the health and safety policy at South Quay. I now believe that they have resolved this and the workers are back on site.

WAG seem to be more of a hindrance with these kind of things. The fact that they had no-one available to comment to the Evening Post says it all.

Took a couple of snaps of the Aurora development today:

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/426/auroranorthfacemk4.jpg

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/9171/aurorasouthfacegp1.jpg

They seem to be starting to do the cladding on the south side. I think the land just south could do with a bit of landscaping though.

I had the pleasure of visiting Swansea the other week. It had been a year since I last was there, and I was most impressed. There seems to be a load of development going on, and the place is really starting to get a feel as a kind of 'capital of the west', a bit like Cork in Ireland.

I've said before that I think Swansea is arguably the most attractive natural setting of any city in the UK. Hopefully in the next five years the city can step up it's tourist credentials that bit more and get more visitors. It will benefit all of Wales if it can.

The only major downside at the moment is the city centre shopping area, and the way the city connects with it's beach.

the queen is coming to swansea in march to re-open the leisure centre so hopefully some positive media coverage for swansea waterfront and should pull in lots of visitors to the area when it reopens.

estimating 800k to visit leisure centre annually which will be a massive boost to the whole area.

Business Leaders Praise LC Impact

SWANSEA business leaders are relishing good times ahead for the city centre in the wake of the LC's eagerly-awaited opening.

Representatives of the Swansea Business Forum and the Business Independent District (BID) say the unveiling of the £32million attraction augurs well for the future and will further put the city on the map.

The LC combines an adrenaline-pumping water park with a state-of-the-art health and fitness suite, four-storey playzone and multi-purpose sports hall.

Swansea Council is behind the scheme and Swansea BID chairman Dave Kenny thinks positive changes are afoot in the city.

He said: "I very much welcome the opening of the LC.

"It's going to be one of the premier tourist attractions in South Wales and will draw many visitors to Swansea.

"Having a mixed-use city centre is very important nowadays and the LC means there's now a high-quality water park and leisure centre within touching distance of retail, residential and restaurant quarters.

"Such diversity is a key factor and I feel Swansea is about to undergo one of the biggest changes it's ever seen as the regeneration of the city continues.

"There's a good feel about where the city's heading at the moment. The physical changes are being complimented by a positive attitude."

Hywel Evans, chairperson of Swansea Business Forum, says the opening of the LC has maintained the momentum gained from news that Swansea's city centre and waterfront are to be subject to a £1billion redevelopment project.

Mr Evans said: ""Coming on the back of the announcement of the Hammerson and Urban Splash development, the opening of the LC is great news.

"It's bound to attract many thousands of extra visitors to Swansea and because the city centre is close by, businesses there I'm sure will feel the benefits too.

"The LC is an exciting place and it's symbolic of Swansea as a whole. These are exciting times for the city."

I had the pleasure of visiting Swansea the other week. It had been a year since I last was there, and I was most impressed. There seems to be a load of development going on, and the place is really starting to get a feel as a kind of 'capital of the west', a bit like Cork in Ireland.


I don't mean to be pedantic but aren't we already obviously the capital of the West? We're the second biggest city in Wales and we're situated in the South West, whereas Cardiff, the biggest city, is situated in the South East. These facts alone instantly make us the capital of the West. Who the hell is competing with us for that title?

One thing we really have in common with Cork is the view that we are both the real capitals of our countries.

^^ Oh dear, here we go...

Well you can say that all you like, but my point is still valid.

I don't mean to be pedantic but aren't we already obviously the capital of the West? We're the second biggest city in Wales and we're situated in the South West, whereas Cardiff, the biggest city, is situated in the South East. These facts alone instantly make us the capital of the West. Who the hell is competing with us for that title?

One thing we really have in common with Cork is the view that we are both the real capitals of our countries.

I don’t think that James’s point was that Swansea is becoming capital of the West in competition with elsewhere – as you correctly say there’s nowhere else in consideration. More than up until relatively recently it hasn’t always felt like a city fulfilling that kind of function. With the considerable sprucing-up and development work going on now, Swansea is feeling a lot more vibrant and positive – i.e. it feels like an important place in a wider context now, rather than merely being one.

I don’t think that James’s point was that Swansea is becoming capital of the West in competition with elsewhere – as you correctly say there’s nowhere else in consideration. More than up until relatively recently it hasn’t always felt like a city fulfilling that kind of function. With the considerable sprucing-up and development work going on now, Swansea is feeling a lot more vibrant and positive – i.e. it feels like an important place in a wider context now, rather than merely being one.

Now that I'd agree with.

i knew thered be some kind of arguement on here..

id love to see some updates of the sa1 developments on here, the last time i saw an udpate of meridian quay on here was new years time! cant one person take some photos at least?

This website may interest members from Swansea and others as well

http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=30232

I popped down to the waterfront area the other day and noticed that the wraps are coming of quite a few of the new buildings there like the South Quay, Langdon House, Ethos and the new affordable apartments. The weather has been c**p lately. Hope to take some pictures soon though.

Good to see that VOSA has taken up residence in the Ellipse.

Still haven't noticed much happening in the big leisure development or seen anything done about the new lock basin for the Prince of Wales Dock.

got sent this nice image of aurora at swansea point (http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=4720)

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/4720Aurora_pic1.jpg

got sent this nice image of aurora at swansea point (http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=4720)
Ah yes, that reminds me. I was in Swansea a few weeks ago and took some photos. I'll need to upload them to SSN. I've got a photo of that building almost completed.

theres a show apartment open in aurora tower if you want to take a look inside and can walk around tower with pavements now laid. theres retail units on the ground floor with some great views over the riverside and water entrance into the marina/lock, so would make a great location for an ice cream parlour/cafe/restaurant/bar. the riverside walk connecting down to the pier still needs to be done. work on the next part of this persimmon homes development at swansea point will start in the new year, which is good news in the present economic climate.

Is that real or a render? Those people on the balcony dont look real for some reason, a bit 2D. Looks ok though

Its a render

450 jobs look set to be created, over the next five years, through the development of a £21.6 million Centre for NanoHealth in Swansea Bay — the first of its kind in Europe.
Swansea University will be home to the state-of-the-art facility, which will bring together the expertise of clinicians, life scientists, engineers and industry under one roof.
They will be working closely to help patients both in Wales and world-wide by detecting diseases at their earliest stage, including cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

Ieuan Wyn Jones, Assembly Minister for the Economy and Transport, who is due to unveil the plans today, said: "The NanoHealth Centre will offer world class facilities and enable Welsh SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises) to collaborate with higher education to develop new healthcare technologies from initial concept to the point where they can be deployed commercially.
"Support for innovation and the growth of our knowledge-based economy are essential if we are to help companies deal with the current downturn and ensure Wales is in a strong position to take advantage of the economic upturn."

The scheme is part of a £57 million funding package to help Welsh firms transform innovative ideas into reality and support pioneering advances in healthcare.
It is hoped the ground-breaking work carried out at the Centre of NanoHealth will develop new treatments to help patients get treatment at community clinics, GP surgeries or even at their homes.

Cash funding of more than £10 million, from the Convergence European Regional Development Fund, has helped to get the project off the ground.
The centre will also include space to help develop new businesses, open-access nanotechnology, along with biomedical research and development facilities.
It is being developed as part of a joint link-up between the Multidisciplinary Nanotechnology Centre (MNC) in the School of Engineering and the Institute of Life Science (ILS) in the School of Medicine.
Swansea University's School of Engineering, School of Medicine, School of Physical Sciences and ABM University NHS Trust, are also involved in the project.

A total of 400 companies will form part of the centre, out of which more than 300 will be Welsh small and medium businesses.
Richard B Davies, vice-chancellor of Swansea University, said the scheme would help the organisation to grow in the future.
Professor Davies added: "Campus universities provide an ideal environment for multi- disciplinary work to flourish.
"This is important because the big challenges of today do not respect the artificial boundaries between traditional disciplines.
"The new Centre for NanoHealth goes one stage further: disciplinary boundaries disappear and the centre creates an innovative academic alignment with the size and quality of facilities to make a major impact."

A multi-million pound initiative to tackle a range of social and economic issues in Swansea has been announced — but city residents will have to wait to see if they are affected.

Swansea city centre is to be designated a Strategic Regeneration Area (SRA) and will benefit from a new approach by the Assembly to address social and economic regeneration.

However, the exact details — including how far into the communities surrounding the city centre the SRA will benefit — have yet to be agreed. The investment, announced by Leighton Andrews, Deputy Minister for Regeneration, is in addition to the Swansea City Centre Framework — a £1 billion blueprint designed to redevelop and regenerate the city centre, creating 9,000 additional jobs.

Mr Andrews said the new initiative was aimed at tackling the root causes of deprivation and putting people and communities at the heart of the equation "The SRA proposals for Swansea are designed to address key social issues while also capitalising on the abundant opportunities that exist within and around the city," he said.
"The regeneration of Swansea will require a range of integrated interventions which will be mainly directed at the centre of the city.

"Interventions will be designed to reinforce Swansea's role as the regional capital city with a modern competitive economy and the ability to deliver a high quality of life, a sustainable environment and a vibrant waterfront of international standards."

Today's announcement marks the start of a partnership between the Assembly and other organisations in the city, such as Swansea Council, Communities First Projects, and the voluntary sector, who will help to decide which areas will be covered.

An action plan will then be drawn up to tackle the issues, and a substantial budget anticipated to run into tens of millions of pounds will be allocated for the project.

The creation of an SRA in Swansea follows a similar model created in the Heads of the Valleys — included in that project was a move to get more people into jobs by working with employers and the unemployed.

Swansea Council has welcomed the announcement. Council leader Chris Holley said: "This is terrific news and will complement billion-pound plans to regenerate several key sites in the city centre and on the waterfront.

"It will help further drive investment and is another encouraging announcement for the city in a time of economic uncertainty across the country. Swansea city centre's designation as an SRA is a significant boost in our quest to become a European city of distinction by 2020."

The Welsh Assembly has pledged tens of millions of pounds to an initiative to keep Swansea city centre’s £1bn regeneration on track.

Swansea will be designated a Strategic Regeneration Area and the Assembly will target social and economic regeneration in the area with a specific budget, deputy minister for regeneration Leighton Andrews said.

The move will support the Swansea City Centre Framework – the £1bn plan to redevelop the town centre which is being led by Swansea City Council and the Assembly government.

The regeneration team is aiming to address economic inactivity; reduce levels of deprivation; create affordable housing in the centre; deal with urban dereliction; encourage a community schools initiative and develop a competitive economy.

The Assembly is setting up Strategic Regeneration Areas across Wales for places in need of regeneration, following a model created in the Heads of the Valleys.

Andrews said: ‘The SRA proposals for Swansea are designed to address key social issues while also capitalising on the abundant opportunities that exist within and around the city.

‘The regeneration of Swansea will require a range of integrated interventions which will be mainly directed at the centre of the city where there is potential for greatest impact, working with communities to create business and educational opportunities.

‘While helping to deliver a number of commitments in the One Wales programme the SRA proposals will provide vital support for the city centre framework which sets the longer term vision for Swansea with the target of attracting more than £1bn of new investment and 9000 additional city centre jobs over the next ten to fifteen years.’

Swansea could become home to a £39 million Welsh National Centre for Contemporary Art, to be based in a new "signature" building. It is understood the city is up against Newport in a battle over the prestigious cultural project.
The creation of a major new gallery for modern art is be likely to be a big boost for tourism in the winning city. However, the Assembly has admitted that the current economic downturn means the start of the ambitious project will be delayed.
The creation of a contemporary art centre is one of a number of proposals in a report called The Future Display of Visual Art in Wales, which includes turning the current National Museum site in Cathays Park, Cardiff into a £85 million national gallery.
Assembly heritage minister Alun Ffred Jones said: "These reports outline some very exciting proposals, which would put Wales firmly on the map in terms of the visual arts and create a dedicated centre to showcase our diverse national art collections. In the current economic climate however, it would be unrealistic to suggest that these plans can become a reality in the immediate future.
"These projects should be viewed as long term aspirations for Wales, which could not begin to come to fruition until sometime after 2012 at the earliest."

The report estimates that the capital cost of building the contemporary arts centre would be £38.8m at 2008 prices, with development costs of £2.5 million for the first six years. Running costs would be around £1.5 million per year.
The authors of the report said it should be housed on a large site with a striking "signature" building, which would make a statement about Wales' position in the international contemporary art world.

It is understood Wrexham, Newport and Swansea were all originally in the running for the project, but that the North Wales city did not make the final shortlist.
An Assembly Government spokeswoman confirmed Swansea was one of the two finalists in the cultural contest.
"Swansea is one of two locations mentioned in the report as having a potential site for this kind of project," she said.

Swansea Council leader Chris Holley welcomed the prospect of the modern arts centre coming to the city.
"This would be a great development, not just for Swansea but for the whole of South West Wales," he said.
"It would be a recognition of the way we have pursued our interest in the arts for many years. We have a strong tradition in the visual arts, one of the best theatres in Wales in the Grand, and one of the best galleries in the Glyn Vivian, as well as what I think is one of the best museums of its kind in the UK in the Waterfront Museum.
"Add to that the LC water park and a major new centre for contemporary art, and it means Swansea has a great deal to offer."

Not so sure about spreading our instituions around the country (afterall who goes to the national library). I think maybe its time for Newport to get something (swansea has waterfront museum already) but then i think concentrating develoments such as these is prefferable.

As much as i hate to say it the only valid place for a large contemporary art museum is in Cardiff.

Why should that be? It's a bit of a parochial attitude to have, Swansea has a population nearing 250,000 and a wider urban area of around 500,000. So why shouldn't it have an institution of this magnitude. If Wales is truly going to be competitive with the rest of the UK it's needs all it's major cities to have investments such as this. It will spread the wealth and attract further investment. Not everything needs to be centralised in Cardiff to the detriment of the rest of Wales!

cardiff is going to get the "national art gallery" for all the old paintings,etc.

swansea or newport will get the "comtemporary art centre/gallery" for all the modern and craft type stuff.

the site in swansea being touted is on the seafront between the marriott and civic centre. swansea metropolitian university art/design creative industries place at dynevor are keen to develop this new art gallery/centre in swansea to develop the creative industries across west wales.

cardiff has recently had a major arts project costing tens of millions in the form of the wales milleniumn centre, so another major arts project costing tens of more millions in cardiff again, in the form of a national art gallery may not go down too well across wales. that is why i guess they are proposing two seperate galleries to spread things about a bit.

FANTASY island and bridge could light up Swansea's SA1 at night — giving the city a romantic waterside attraction unlike anything else in the UK.
Consultants have put forward the ambitious proposals for the Prince of Wales Dock as part of a new plan for public art projects in and around the giant redevelopment site.
New lights around the Ice House Square, an artwork trail, sound mirrors, an innovative lifting bridge across the new dock entrance and even a tidal organ are among their proposals.
The Public Art Strategy for SA1, which is expected to be endorsed by Swansea Council's cabinet this week, also examines the potential for forming links with existing organisations to bring them into the overall strategy.
It follows last week's announcement that £38 million worth of investment had been approved for the city centre and waterfront, including a European-style boulevard

Cabinet member for economic and strategic development Gareth Sullivan said: "Public artworks can make a positive contribution to the built environment by ornamenting public space and engaging with the onlooker.
"They can also function as an indicator of investment activity and economic vitality.
"Public art projects need to be integrated with the public realm in order to create a variety of public spaces offering different experiences for people of all ages — such as places to relax, places to be active and places to be entertained."
Swansea Council has £1.1 million available in contributions from developers at SA1, while public art management organisation Celfwaith was appointed consultant to prepare the strategy.
Assuming Thursday's cabinet meeting approves the plan, a steering group will then be set up.
The next stage will be to prioritise the ideas put forward by Celfwaith in terms of budget, time scale and site availability.
One of the most exciting proposals involves the Prince of Wales Dock, where the idea of a bridge and artificial island have been mooted in the past, but have as yet come to nothing.
Celfwaith, however, says: "We believe there is scope to re-examine these ideas, but instead of high- cost fixed structures, we recommend exploring the use of floating structures.
"Walking on water has always had a fascination for people, and we believe one of the must-see elements of SA1 could be the development of a series of floating structures on the dock.
"These could introduce an element of fantasy to SA1 and offer something no other UK city has."
The consultants are proposing a floating bridge between the north and south ends of the dock, incorporating a floating island that could host events and become a major attraction in its own right.
There could also be scope for it to be linked to a flexible arts pavilion, a shell structure that could be used open or closed and would be available for events and performances.
"The floating island could be one of the most romantic and iconic places to eat, dance or listen to music," their report says.
Celfwaith said it would also be practical and cost- effective, could attract further funds and could become famous throughout the UK, and possibly much further.
The report adds: "It introduces a playful element to SA1 that will appeal across the generations and make the development appropriate as a settlement for life."

got sent this nice image of aurora at swansea point (http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=4720)

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/4720Aurora_pic1.jpg

Something is stirring in the retail unit at the base of Aurora. The boardings have come down and workers have been fitting a glass frontage, both to the front facing the sea and the side overlooking the river.
It looks like it is all one big unit and they have a perfect view of the ferry when it is docked.
I suspect the re-introduction of the Cork ferry and the construction of Marina Villas has been the catalyst for what I'm guessing must be a cafe and/or ice cream parlour.
The ferry passengers will have quite a round trip though if they wanted to take advantage of a frothy coffee, unless they can swim.
I'll keep an eye out to see what appears.

I've heard rumours about this from people but didn't believe it until I read this article. Will this complement the marina plans for the Prince of Wales Dock?

South Wales Evening Post: All on board! Extreme watersports park set for SA1 home (http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/news/wake-new-thrills-SA1/article-2273832-detail/article.html)
THRILL-SEEKERS are in for a treat — Wales' first wakeboarding park is coming to Swansea.

Hailed as one of the fastest growing extreme water sports, wakeboarding is a variant of water skiing.

Work starts this week on GoWake — which will operate from the 28-acre Prince of Wales Dock at the SA1 development.

Supported by the Assembly through the Single Investment Fund and by Associated British Ports, it will be Wales's first permanent cable powered wakeboarding park, and will open later this summer.

Described as a combination of waterskiing, snowboarding and surfing, wakeboard riders are traditionally towed behind purpose built motorboats, using the wake to carry out a range of airborne manoeuvres and jumps.

The cable system is designed specifically for wake sports and capable of speeds of up to 25mph, depending on the experience of the rider.

The portable, straight-line cable system is powered by a frequency regulated electric drive motor and riders are pulled by cable across the surface of the water and back to the starting point — a distance of approximately 175 metres.

GoWake is a collaboration between two water sports operators in Wales — Gower Kiteriders, run by Matt Barker-Smith in Swansea Bay, and Big Blue Experience, based in Pembrokeshire.

Mr Barker-Smith said: "We are very keen to work closely with education authorities and community groups to support government initiatives for active children.

Phenomenal

"The support from the Assembly and Associated British Ports has been invaluable and we hope the investment will bring direct and indirect benefits to the region.

"Wakeboarding is a hugely popular sport — it's still relatively new but interest is growing at a phenomenal rate and we are confident the Swansea facility will attract enthusiasts from far and wide.

"Wales is a superb venue for water sports with Swansea and Gower established centres for sailors and surfers and GoWake will hopefully become another important attraction."

Ieuan Wyn Jones, Minister for the Economy and Transport, said: "There cannot be many places in the UK where an activity like this is on offer within a stone's throw of a city centre — it makes it accessible to all and will also prove to be a popular spectator sport attracting visitors and residents into SA1."

AMBITIOUS plans to convert the popular Victorian pier at Mumbles into a 21st century visitor destination are to go on public display for the first time.

A £39m redevelopment scheme for the prime seafront site envisages a new resort hotel plus apartments with spectacular views over Swansea Bay.

The new-look pier would also have boardwalks, public spaces, cafes, restaurants and a new leisure and family entertainment centre.

Mumbles Pier is a favourite spot for families and film star Catherine Zeta-Jones has a home overlooking the site at Limeslade.

Family firm Ameco, which runs Mumbles Pier, is behind the scheme and plans a public exhibition of its new plans from tomorrow. It is being staged in advance of a comprehensive planning application at the end of this month which is the culmination of nearly five years of preparation work.

Ameco says it wants to plough proceeds from the re-development scheme into restoration works for the iconic pier, which is suffering the effects of weathering and sea water immersion. Upgrading the 112-year-old pier is also vital to RNLI proposals to build a modern lifeboat house capable of launching its new Tamar class vessel, which is due to become operational before 2015.

Ameco estimates the project would inject £18m a year into the local economy.

The exhibition is to be held in the Pier Hotel ballroom.

STALLED plans to create a new riverside community from a Swansea wasteland have taken a step forward.

Developer Bellway Homes has submitted plans to build 103 houses and flats between the River Tawe and New Cut Road.

Another developer, Watkin Jones, said it planned to start work on a large student development at the same site this summer.

The Bellway plan, consisting of 58 homes and 45 flats in three and four-storey blocks, replaces a previous scheme by a different developer for up to 300 residential units, which had outline planning permission.

Experts said demand for houses rather than flats helped prompt the fresh set of plans.

Property consultant Savills, which has been involved in developing the 8.5 acre site — formerly owned by Unit Superheater Engineering — said it hoped work could start on the Bellway homes later this year.

If given the green light, the Bellway scheme will signal the first phase of a riverside walkway on the west bank of the River Tawe from the city centre up towards the Liberty Stadium.

Council chiefs are keen to lure developers to the area, and in March the authority gave approval for a new road effectively linking the stadium and New Cut Road.

It also granted permission for 52 three-storey houses and 84 flats in five-storey blocks at the Bernard Hastie site, off Morfa Road. Further development is proposed at the site of the old Hafod Copperworks, despite concerns from industrial heritage groups.

Andrew Cox, of Savills, said: "Bellway's decision to reduce the number of homes and concentrate on family housing rather than large apartment blocks will be hugely beneficial to the local area.

"These will be homes that are likely to be owneroccupied rather than rented out, which will encourage a greater sense of community.

"The reduction in residential units will also mean less traffic, which can only be good news for traffic flow in the city centre."

A MULTI-MILLION pound revamp for Mumbles Pier has received the backing of hundreds of visitors to an open exhibition.

Plans for the £39 million scheme to restore the Victorian landmark saw more than 300 visitors attend the exhibition at the Pier Hall ballroom over the weekend.

Four out five people said they backed the proposals, including the creation of a hotel, restaurants and apartments, which owners of the pier, Ameco, say could bring hundreds of jobs to the area.

The project will also see the restoration of the grade two listed pier, and the creation of boardwalks, cafes, and a family entertainment centre, as well as a new RNLI boathouse which would be powerful enough to launch their new Tamar class vessel, which is due to become operational before 2015.

John Bollom, managing director of the firm which owns the pier, said he was delighted the plans had struck the right note with the public.

"We are a family firm with 70 years' experience of operating amusements and leisure facilities," he said. "We are not developers and it has been important to us to work with Swansea Council to come up with a privately-funded solution that can reinstate Mumbles Pier as a tourist destination and give a sustainable future to an iconic part of the region's heritage."

A detailed analysis of the consultation event will be included in the application to be submitted next month.

Out of 265 feedback forms collected, 88 per cent said they approved of the designs on show; 87 per cent felt the scheme would enhance Mumbles headland and foreshore, and more than 75 per cent thought the plans were sensitive to local surroundings.

Just under 90 per cent thought the plans would boost tourism and 92 per cent believed the new RNLI lifeboat house would enhance the pier and surroundings.

A summary of the results have been sent to Swansea Council and Mumbles Community Council.

Mr Bollom said: "We are attempting to restore an iconic part of Swansea's heritage without a penny from the public purse.

"Over the years, we looked at how we could find a cost- effective method of rebuilding the pier. Privately-owned piers do not qualify for heritage funding and the local authority has other priorities."

He explained that an earlier scheme had been scaled down and now included a smaller hotel and apartments.

The proposed sea-wall has also been replaced by a cantilevered boardwalk which would cause less disruption to marine life.

News of the level of public backing coincides with recent publication of a study by Sheffield Hallam University of how seaside tourism contributes more than £300 million a year to the Welsh economy.

CONSTRUCTION company Jehu Project Services has been awarded a £650,000 contract for the fit-out of a new Beefeater restaurant, which will form part of the Premier Inn Hotel development at SA1 in Swansea.

Jehu, which won the £6.4m contract to construct the 132 bed hotel and 4,500 sq ft Tesco Express convenience store in May last year, said it was delighted at the award of the contract, the first restaurant fit-out contract to be completed by them.

A key aspect of the work is the use of eco-friendly materials from sustainable sources particularly oak, which features greatly in the internal finishings.

The fit-out project is set to be finished by the end of next month and the Premier Inn hotel and Tesco Express is scheduled for completion in autumn. Taken together, the projects form part of the wider transformation of the disused docklands area into a vibrant new residential and lifestyle centre.

Ken Evans, from Jehu Project Services, said: “The construction of the Premier Inn and Tesco Express has gone incredibly smoothly and it is great news that we are now able to start work on the fit-out of the restaurant.

“With progress well on schedule, we look forward to the autumn when the development will be completed and hope that it will play a key role in the overall success of SA1 and help Swansea become a top UK holiday destination.”

MYSTERY is surrounding the development of a Hilton hotel in Swansea.

Last month the Evening Post confirmed the chain was in discussions over a site in the city.

Hilton is adamant nothing has changed, although an advert for commercial units next to the likely location now describes the hotel as being "under construction".

A spokesman for Hilton said: "Swansea is certainly a destination that has attracted our interest and we are in discussions regarding a site in the town, though nothing has been confirmed at this early stage.

"We are in an exciting phase of growth and we are looking at many locations around the UK to introduce various brands from our Hilton Worldwide portfolio.

"Regarding Swansea, nothing has been confirmed at this stage."

But, according to an advert from property agent E J Hales, the hotel at Swansea Point is already under construction.

The Evening Post spoke to Matthew Morgan, who is on the team marketing commercial units at Marina Villas on Trawler Road adjacent to the Hilton site.

When asked whether Hilton was developing a hotel at the site at Swansea Point, Mr Morgan said: "That's what we've heard. That's what the rumours are in the market.

"They are on site doing ground works. We assumed it was for the hotel.

"That is where they are rumoured to be going."

Another NIMBY group in Mumbles, seriously what is wrong with these people? Mumbles could be the jewel in Swansea's crown. It doesn't do anything promote itself however, or encourage investment. Now another NIMBY group has sprung up, to prevent the most important development that's been mooted for years. Bonkers.

AMBITIOUS plans for a £39m luxury spa hotel, seafront housing and cafe bars on the Mumbles Pier have been submitted to Swansea Council.

Family-run Swansea amusement equipment firm Ameco expect that the first phase of the proposal, which involves a multi-million-pound restoration of the Victorian Pier, could be completed by 2015 if there are no delays in getting planning consent.

The site of the development lies around the boathouse of the Mumbles Lifeboat and is overlooked by the home of actress Catherine Zeta-Jones and her husband Michael Douglas.

Ameco has reported enthusiasm for the project ,with more than 80% visiting a consultation exhibition saying they were in favour of the development.

But a new group, Protect Mumbles Headland, has been formed which is less enthusiastic about the proposal.

A spokeswoman for the group said: “The current unspoilt view of the Mumbles headland could be changed forever due to five to six-storey buildings. The pier may be rebuilt if there is money available after the hotel and housing have been built.

“There is no guarantee that this development will see a resurrection of the pier.

“Swansea Council say there is a need for more hotels on Gower but have they forgotten they allowed the Caswell Bay Hotel, Langland Bay Hotel, St Anne’s Hotel and the Osborne to be turned into flats? Also, housing units in Swansea’s SA1 development remain unsold.

“It is said that 88% of the 300 visitors to the public consultation exhibition were in favour but how many of these visitors were locals?

“The headland is considered part of Gower’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ (AONB) and as such is protected by law.

“This is a private development for financial gain.”

A spokesman for Ameco said yesterday it estimated more than 70% of the visitors to the exhibition lived within two miles of the proposal.

He added: “The restoration of Mumbles Pier is at the centre of this proposal and the council could well place that as a condition of the development.”

“The housing element of the scheme will hopefully help pay for the pier restoration and for establishing a new base for the larger RNLI lifeboat due to come to Mumbles.

“The feedback so far from local people has been extremely positive.”

planning was in the evening post last week for the british legion club site on newton road in the mumbles so won't be long before these nimbys start moaning about this one as well :ohno:

Was down the Charles Church Development on Saturday, they seem to think the Hilton Garden Hotel is still going ahead, though no announcements publically as yet.

Anyone have any info?

Was down the Charles Church Development on Saturday, they seem to think the Hilton Garden Hotel is still going ahead, though no announcements publically as yet.

Anyone have any info?

They are awaiting someone to take on the franchise, so construction won't begin until next year.
The site is all cleared and ready with the finishing touches being put to the Marina villas and it's adjoining Atlantic square.

Also, Grape and Olive at the top of the tower had it's opening for invited guests this evening and its new entrance at the gateway to the Marina looks great. Should be open to the public imminently.

They are awaiting someone to take on the franchise, so construction won't begin until next year.
The site is all cleared and ready with the finishing touches being put to the Marina villas and it's adjoining Atlantic square.

Also, Grape and Olive at the top of the tower had it's opening for invited guests this evening and its new entrance at the gateway to the Marina looks great. Should be open to the public imminently.

Also paid a visit to the Meridian Bar/Cafe for a 'bite to eat and liquid refreshment' on Saturday, very nice, affordable and much needed.

Met the owner of the new Surf/Ski Shop that is about to open at the base of the smaller towers, another well placed retail outlet, will do well there methinks.

Something about to happen then, about time!

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/news/Coastline-path-improvement-set-city-streets-ahead/article-3104030-detail/article.html

Hope a lot more is done to use this natural sweep of the Bay and attract more inward investment and tourism

Given the go ahead in SA1

http://www.newswales.co.uk/?section=Health&F=1&id=20730

A trickle of work beginning to make its way through

Found this earlier in the week, nor sure if posted on another thread?

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Mixed-reviews-plans-water-sports-centre-city/story-12908936-detail/story.html

If it provides facilities for all groups to use, the could be useful, if limited to purely certain watersports users, could be a waste of a prime location

Developments close to the beach are always going to be controversial in Swansea and split people between those who want development and those who want to keep things natural (or in their Victoria era state).

There is already a watersports facility at that location housed in a shipping container that's just plonked on the beach next to the Slip Bridge pier. I would welcome the development if it is senstively designed to fit in with the location. And I think a well designed bricks and mortar building is going to be a huge improvement on that shipping container that's there at the moment. With the beach becoming more popular in recent years, there is going to be more demand for facilities like this.

A One-stop convenience store and possibly an ice cream parlour (come on Joes you'd make a killing) heading for Marina Villas. Will add something extra to that end of the Marina. A nice starter before the Hilton and new swing bridge close by.

Developments close to the beach are always going to be controversial in Swansea and split people between those who want development and those who want to keep things natural (or in their Victoria era state).

There is already a watersports facility at that location housed in a shipping container that's just plonked on the beach next to the Slip Bridge pier. I would welcome the development if it is senstively designed to fit in with the location. And I think a well designed bricks and mortar building is going to be a huge improvement on that shipping container that's there at the moment. With the beach becoming more popular in recent years, there is going to be more demand for facilities like this.

I agree with your sentiments above, anything is a marked improvement on that 'Container'. There is a definite need in that area now to step it up a bit and at the same time either get rid of the old bridge supports or do something novel and exciting to bring them properly back into use!

Just came across this about the enigmatic Hilton Hotel project in the Marina:
http://www.opco-construction.co.uk/opco_projects_hiltonhotel-swansea.html

Looks good, hopefully thats wood and not tiles in the render.

Just came across this about the enigmatic Hilton Hotel project in the Marina:
http://www.opco-construction.co.uk/opco_projects_hiltonhotel-swansea.html

cheers, never seen any pics of that hotel before :)

opco are also starting to build a watersports centre on swansea seafront opposite st helens

cheers, never seen any pics of that hotel before :)

opco are also starting to build a watersports centre on swansea seafront opposite st helens

I believe this has now been awarded, though I can't disclose wgo has it as yet. This should see the commencement of works shortly then, hope it all fits in well with the scenic area and is accesible to all!

Given the go ahead in SA1

http://www.newswales.co.uk/?section=Health&F=1&id=20730

A trickle of work beginning to make its way through


Looks like its progressing well, weather may look nice but was bitterly cold!


http://www.flickr.com/photos/65103396@N07/6955647277/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/65103396@N07/6955646671/in/photostream

Thanks for the pics!

Hi guys,
I am writing a MA thesis about waterfronts. Does anyone can tell me name of Swansea waterfront masterplan designer? I can't find it on Internet. Thanks