Blueprint for vibrant city centre space considered
PLANS for Castle Square in Swansea could create a greener, more vibrant destination with more public space than ever before for residents and visitors to enjoy.
A report is being prepared for cabinet’s consideration at Swansea Council that could see partial redevelopment proposals come forward in future.
If the report is approved by cabinet, work will start on a development brief for the square that will set out principles for its potential transformation. This would follow responses to a Public Open Space notice published last year, which cabinet is also being asked to consider.
To reflect the feedback, some of the development brief principles could include more greenery, more public space and the need for the square to continue to hold events and activities. It’s also being proposed the council could redevelop the square itself, with the opportunity to introduce restaurant and food pavilions likely to be explored as well.
Councillor Rob Stewart, Swansea Council’s leader, said: “Castle Square is a key space in the heart of Swansea city centre, but it’s been looking tired for some time. This is why we published a Public Open Space notice last year to start gauging people’s views on its potential transformation in future into a far more vibrant, family-friendly, visually attractive destination.
“What’s clear from the feedback is that Swansea residents want to see the retention of events at the square, as well as the same amount of public space or even more than ever before.
“That’s what we want too, so with clever design, we can accommodate these requests while generating a greatly improved destination where people can meet for a coffee or an ice-cream, watch the world go by, relax and enjoy views of Swansea Castle.
“Many people recall Castle Gardens with fondness as well, so the introduction of more greenery would also be a consideration of a development brief for the square. That could then give an opportunity to recreate the charm of the past while generating a modern square with strong links to St David’s and Kingsway, which will soon be regenerated.
“We will not sell the square – that is something we have been clear about from the start. All we’re looking to do, with cabinet’s approval, is to explore options that will include the council potentially redeveloping the square itself later this year.
“We know how important Castle Square is to the people of Swansea, so there will also be full consultation on any proposals that may arise in future.”
A draft outline planning application has also now been published for the nearby St David’s site’s regeneration.
Proposals for that site, which is made up of the former St David’s shopping centre and LC car park, include an indoor arena, new shops, restaurants, a hotel, plenty of car parking spaces and a broad pedestrian link over Oystermouth Road.
Rivington Land, the council’s development manager for the site, will be submitting an outline planning application next month.
It comes after plans for an urban park along The Kingsway in Swansea were revealed earlier this month.
The council’s redevelopment of the major thoroughfare would see what is being billed as the city’s “Central Park” take its place alongside two lanes of traffic rather than the current four.
The proposed new layout would see the current bus lane removed to allow traffic to travel in both directions on the southern side of the carriageway with work expected to start along the route later this year.