Cable car plans for hill move forward

PLANS to build a cable car ride, toboggan rides and zip wire rides in Swansea have moved a big step closer.

The New Zealand-based developers behind the project, which will also include a restaurant and event venue on Kilvey Hill have reached an agreement with Swansea council to progress the scheme.

They now plan to visit the city for a week in June to start appointing professional teams who will work on the plan, to start survey work and to develop their vision.

Skyline directors gave the goahead to begin detailed design and legal discussions last year. And now the company and council have drafted an agreement that will go to the council’s cabinet and Skyline’s board of directors for approval within months.

Representatives of the company have already been to Swansea twice to check the potential of turning Kilvey Hill into a tourism hotspot, capable of attracting tens of thousands of visitors a year.

Skyline chief executive Geoff McDonald said: “We are looking forward to visiting Swansea once more and continuing discussions with the council and potential development consultants.”

Councillor Robert FrancisDavies, the council’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and major projects, said: “Skyline’s visit in June is really significant; it will pave the way for work being carried out on site which will take this exciting project from the drawing board to reality.

“We’ve reached an agreement with Skyline and they’ll be signing heads of terms with us when they visit Swansea in June. Our cabinet and their board will be getting reports on it shortly.

“The company’s decision to work with us is a great vote of confidence in Swansea as a tourist destination and builds on the superb work being done through the City Deal and our status as Wales’ city of culture.

“We are determined to enhance Swansea for the benefit of both the people who live and work here and our visitors.”

It is understood that the council is liaising with fellow landowners at Kilvey Hill and other relevant parties to help secure an agreement. Once the agreement is in place, Skyline will start work on a planning application.

The scheme would be funded entirely by private money.

Council leader Rob Stewart said: “Kilvey Hill has huge potential to be transformed into a great visitor destination.

“Bringing this project to Swansea will also attract additional investment and benefit local businesses by generating more spending and supply chain opportunities.”