Application to turn empty city centre office building into 350 bed student accommodation approved

Swansea planners have approved developer Watkin Jones’ plans to transform Ty Nant on High Street next to the city’s main rail terminus into a 350 bed student accommodation block.

The building formerly housed the government’s Valuation Office Agency and will be the company’s second major project in Swansea.  The firm previously developed the 967-bed St David’s scheme on New Cut Road.

The £35m private investment will include studios and cluster accommodation, alongside communal and amenity facilities.

“We aim to improve the immediate area for the long-term through our focus on quality design and landscaping. This will attract valuable footfall and expenditure into the city centre,” explained Watkin Jones development director Simon Lovell.

Mr Lovell says that demand for the homes was expected to be high on account of Swansea’s growing success as a study destination:

“Swansea University student numbers have increased 11.5% over the last three years, while students from Trinity St David’s University have increased by 47.9%. UCAS recently reported an overall increase in student applications for September 2021 and we fully expect this trend to continue,” he said.

He added that the development would relieve pressure on the city’s Victorian neighbourhoods and could free up homes for refurbishment back to family housing.

Work to construct the scheme is expected to start at the end of 2021.