The New Zealand-based leisure operator can now press ahead with it’s plans for Kilvey Hill that include an accessible gondola (cable car), downhill karting known as the Luge, a zipline, a sky swing, a restaurant and bar, enhanced walking and mountain bike trails, picnicking areas and a children’s adventure play park.
Danny Luke, Chief Operating Officer at Skyline Enterprises, said: “We are delighted that Swansea Council’s planning committee has agreed to our proposal for Skyline Swansea, as this decision marks a vital step in the development process. We have a successful track record of delivering accessible tourism destinations across the world, and our new leisure destination at Kilvey Hill would be our first European attraction and our ninth site globally. Our Swansea site would join the Skyline portfolio of much-loved, family friendly sites across Asia, North America and Oceania.
“Ultimately, Skyline is all about bringing accessible fun to families across the world. We look forward to working closely with Swansea Council – and continuing to collaborate with partners and local community groups – as we deliver Skyline Swansea: an accessible adventure destination which welcomes tourists and locals alike, providing a boost to this wonderful city.”
The scheme has drawn a mix of opinions from the public, both for and against the scheme.
A group of around 50 objectors gathered outside Swansea’s Guildhall today (Tuesday 4 March) where the planning committee met to determine the application.
Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society, one of the objectors, said: “We are dismayed that Swansea Council is forging ahead in the face of so many objections. It knows that the development will destroy the unique countryside of Kilvey Hill, so loved by the community, yet it proposes to trash it with an ugly megadevelopment.
“The council doesn’t seem to realise that Kilvey Hill already attracts visitors who are drawn to its open space, sea views, woodland, and peaceful natural charm. Arguably, Wales’s best tourist feature is its natural beauty. The attractiveness of Kilvey Hill to Swansea’s residents and visitors will be lost by building this noisy, ugly monstrosity.”
In response, Skyline say that all current footpaths and access points to the Hill would remain, with free and unhindered access continuing for those who use the Hill for recreation.
It says that the development is planned to be built with sustainably-sourced materials, using local suppliers as much as possible and include plans to work with local training providers as well as further and higher education facilities to provide training schemes and employment for local people.
Skyline add that the plans feature ecological conservation strategies to ensure net-positive impact on biodiversity at the site. This includes extensive ecological studies and mitigation procedures, lighting schemes, tree planting, wildflower and grassland planting, sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), and habitat protection measures, proposals which have been designed in collaboration with the Environmental Dimension Partnership (EDP) to ensure compliance with Natural Resources Wales requirements.
A Swansea Council spokesperson said: “We welcome the decision of the planning committee on this exciting development and now await a project programme from Skyline that will detail the timeframe of construction.
“Skyline say the project is anticipated to create 100 local jobs within 12 months of being operational and expects 450 jobs to be created during construction.
“They also say the scheme is anticipated to be worth £84m to Swansea’s economy over 15 years and that around 450,000 visitors are expected within its first full year.”
(Lead image: Skyline)
