The new scheme
Planning consultants Lichfields have lodged a request for a screening opinion with Swansea Council on behalf of Persimmon. The 45‑hectare site, bisected by Swansea Road (B4560), could deliver:
- Up to 600 homes (mainly 2–4 bedroom houses, some flats up to four storeys).
- A local centre with shops and flats above.
- A community orchard and allotments.
- An active travel route linking through the site and across the River Llan, connecting into the neighbouring Fairwood Terrace site. This would be a walking and cycling link only – not a vehicular road.
(Image: Litchfields)
Opposite Parc Mawr on the A484
The site’s northern boundary fronts the A484, directly opposite the Parc Mawr development in Penllergaer, where Bellway and Barratt are building around 1,000 homes, a school and a new link road to the A483/M4.
If both proceed, the A484 would effectively become the spine of a continuous growth corridor, with large housing estates on both sides of the road.
Fairwood Terrace controversy
Just to the west, Persimmon’s Fairwood Terrace scheme for around 230 homes beside Gowerton railway station was refused by councillors in 2024 on traffic grounds, despite officer support.
That decision followed fierce local opposition, with nearly 900 objection letters and a 300‑signature petition. Residents warned the development would overwhelm already congested junctions. Persimmon has since appealed to the Welsh Government, and the case is now with Planning and Environment Decisions Wales.
The new Fforestfach/Waunarlwydd site is designed to link into Fairwood Terrace via the active travel route, knitting the two schemes together.
Other major schemes nearby
The Fforestfach proposal adds to a cluster of large developments already reshaping north‑west Swansea:
- Garden Village, Gorseinon (Persimmon): More than 700 homes under construction, with a school, park and community facilities.
- Parc Mawr, Penllergaer (Bellway/Barratt): Around 850 homes, a school and a new link road between Gorseinon Road and the A483.
- Pentref Llewelyn, Penllergaer (Barratt): Over 150 homes north of Penllergaer, adjoining Parc Mawr.
- Fairwood Terrace, Gowerton (Persimmon): 230 homes refused, now under appeal.
- Chapel Fields, Loughor (Barratt): 115 homes across two phases on land south of Glebe Road, backing onto the A484.
The cumulative picture
If all of these schemes proceed, the corridor from Penllergaer through Gorseinon, Waunarlwydd and Gowerton could see close to 3,000 new homes built.
That scale of growth would amount to a new town the size of Loughor or Pontarddulais, stitched together along the A484. Campaigners argue the cumulative impact on traffic, schools, GP surgeries and green space cannot be ignored.
What is a screening opinion?
Under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, large developments may need a full Environmental Impact Assessment if they are likely to have significant environmental effects.
A screening opinion is the council’s formal decision on whether an EIA is required. Developers submit details of the site, the proposal and potential impacts, and the council decides if a full EIA must accompany any future planning application.
In this case, Persimmon argue that impacts can be managed through mitigation measures such as drainage schemes, ecological surveys and construction management plans, so a full EIA is not necessary. Swansea Council will issue its decision within 21 days.
Next steps
If the council rules that no EIA is required, Persimmon can move ahead with a full planning application for the site. If an EIA is required, the process will be longer and more detailed.
Either way, the proposals will eventually go before Swansea Council’s planning committee, where councillors will weigh the scheme against local and national planning policies — and the views of residents.
Correction: This article originally stated that the Pentref Llewelyn development in Penllergaer comprised around 400 homes. The approved planning consent is for 166 homes. No additional phases have been submitted or approved at this stage.
Persimmon is trying to continuously build with no regard for infrastructure and healthcare.
The Swansea Local Development Plan mandates a new Spine Street to link the Fforestfach part of the site with Gowerton but this has typically been omitted from the plans shown. Residents are strongly opposing the development in Gowerton due to it’s unsuitable access and lack of healthcare capacity and others should do the same in Fforestfach!