Swansea Council: Public views to shape plan for future of Swansea city centre

The council say people are to be given the chance to offer their opinions in a number of ways, with their views leading to a new Swansea Council plan that’ll help make the city an even greater place in which to live, work, learn in and spend quality free time.

The plan will update and replace the council’s existing Swansea Central Area Regeneration Framework that was put in place in 2016.

The wide range of forthcoming consultation opportunities will include an interactive website, in-person events, and sessions with a variety of Swansea-based organisations.

The council says it wants to hear the views of everybody, from children and young people to older people, residents and visitors, students, investors and developers, businesses, and third sector and community groups.

Drop-in events – to which everybody is invited – are due to take place from May 28 to June 1 inclusive, with additional sessions on June 8 and 15. No pre-booking is necessary. All will all take place in the former city centre Cranes shop, between the St Mary’s and St David’s churches, from 10am-4pm.

People will also be able to comment online on a website that’s due to go live on May 28.

Local councillors plus key organisations such as the Welsh Government, Swansea BID and Gower College Swansea will be involved in the information-gathering phase.

The new Future Swansea: Shaping the Future of our City plan – due to be formulated through 2024 – will serve as a five-year vision for the city centre’s economic regeneration.

Council leader Rob Stewart said: “Our new plan will build on the success of our existing strategy that’s seen a huge amount of positive change across the city centre.

“We know the public have strong views on their city centre – and we want as many people as possible to tell us what they want in the area over the coming years.

“So please have your say! Our new far-reaching plan will take Swansea’s ongoing £1bn regeneration to the next stage – making it an even better place in which to live, work, study and play.

“It’ll be fully informed by public views.”

The city’s ongoing council-driven £1bn regeneration has already seen the development of Swansea Arena and the neighbouring Amy Dillwyn Park plus people-friendly overhauls of The Kingsway and Wind Street.

Further improvements include the creation of more city centre homes, the imminent reopening of the Palace Theatre building and Albert Hall, and ongoing work to create public services hub Y Storfa and new-style workspace 71/72 Kingsway. There are plans to make Castle Square greener and more welcoming.

Private sector developers continue to deliver new homes, new business opportunities and other reason to enjoy the city centre.

The council say the new city centre plan will aim to capitalise on the city’s strengths and address its weaknesses – and will set out an action plan focusing on deliverable short- and medium-term priorities.

(Lead image: Swansea Council)

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