The Green Man of Kilvey, a mythical figure built by local man Pete Thomas in 1998, has stood proudly for nearly 30 years. But as tree harvesting operations clear the way for the proposed leisure destination, his sudden exposure in a barren landscape has reignited tensions between local campaigners and developers.
‘Evicted’ from the Forest
Local volunteers, who have been vocal in their opposition to parts of the development, have hit out at the “eviction” of the Green Man from his shaded home. They argue that the sculpture is a vital piece of Swansea’s community heritage that has been treated as an afterthought.
David Lang, from Kilvey Woodland Volunteers, said:
“The Green Man has been our guardian for nearly 30 years. Neither the landowners nor the developers took any precautions to safeguard such an important part of Swansea’s heritage during the initial tree harvesting. It speaks volumes of what they think of him.”
(Image: David Lang)
Despite the sharp criticism, volunteers did offer a “thank you” to the contractors on the ground, who they say listened to their concerns and prioritised the sculpture’s safety during the felling.
A Landmark Development
On the other side of the debate, the Skyline Swansea project is seen by many as a once-in-a-generation investment for the city. With £4m in Welsh Government backing, the project aims to create a world-class tourism destination featuring cable cars and luge runs, promising significant job creation and economic growth.
Supporters of the scheme point to the long-term environmental benefits, noting that the current felling of diseased, non-native trees is a necessary step to replanting broadleaf native species and revitalising the hill’s ecology.
(Image: Skyline)
Skyline: ‘We Are Listening’
Skyline Swansea has moved to address the community’s fears, insisting that the Green Man remains a “priority” and that they are committed to a collaborative future.
A spokesperson for Skyline Swansea said:
“We recognise how important the Green Man sculpture is to the local community. We are committed to securing his long-term future, whether that means safeguarding it in its current location or relocating it to a suitable alternative site on Kilvey Hill.”
A Community Divided?
The fate of the Green Man has become a symbol of the wider crossroads facing Kilvey Hill. While some see the development as a vital step forward for Swansea’s economy, others fear the loss of the hill’s wild, community-led character.
As the planning process moves forward, the challenge for both the Council and developers will be to prove that the “mythical guardian” and the modern leisure destination can truly coexist.
What do you think of the changes on Kilvey Hill? Is it progress or a loss of heritage? Have your say below.
The “Headroom” Crisis
The council’s own budget papers suggest we’re basically maxing out the city’s credit card for one leisure project. In 2026/27, there’s only £2.757 million of capital “headroom” left for the entire city — the same pot that’s meant to help deal with things like roads, schools, and urgent repairs.
But at the same time, the budget confirms £2.499 million of unsupported borrowing is being used specifically for the Skyline scheme.
So the worry is obvious: we’re using what little financial breathing space we’ve got to help fund a privately run gondola, while were facing a deep cost of living crisis and this will only bring part time job what could we us the head room Welsh government money for education new Tec jobs.