Mumbles Pier hotel and flats plan set for go-ahead
CONTENTIOUS plans to redevelop the Mumbles Pier headland and foreshore will not be called in by the Welsh Government.
Ministers had intervened before Swansea council’s planning committee met to determine the £35m scheme last month, effectively neutering any decision it made.
But, having reviewed the evidence, the Welsh Government has concluded that the council had adequately assessed the proposal, and that it had not raised any national or “novel” planning issues.
A spokesman for pier owner and developer Ameco said: “Ameco is delighted that the situation between Welsh Government and Swansea Council has been resolved.
“This is an important step forward for everyone who wishes to see Mumbles Pier restored as part of a scheme that can rejuvenate Mumbles as a visitor destination.”
The Mumbles Pier headland and foreshore scheme had outline planning consent prior to the reserved matters application.
Opponents urged the planning committee not to approve the application, claiming among other things that the boundary map denoting the Gower Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that the authorities had been using was inaccurate.
The committee unanimously approved the application, which had prompted 331 letters of objection and 333 of support, but was unable to actually grant permission until the Welsh Government had concluded its review.
The Welsh Government letter dated December 12, while acknowledging opposition to the planned headland hotel rooms and foreshore flats, said: “As the principle of residential development has already been accepted it is considered the local planning authority has adequately assessed the proposal in terms of the reserved matters proposed.
“The application is not considered to raise issues of national security or novel planning issues. Having considered all the factors cumulatively it is concluded the decision should be taken by the local planning authority in this instance and the application should not be called in.”
Ameco has consistently said the revenue from the development would fund the ongoing restoration of the privately-owned pier.
A revamped pavilion and extended walkway will also be developed.
At present there is space for 67 cars at the pier foreshore area and 36 spaces at the Big Apple car park above.
When the scheme goes ahead, there will be 56 spaces along the foreshore and 32 undercroft spaces at the 26 flats.
The Big Apple car park will remain and serve the 69-room hotel, which planning officers said would result in a maximum demand of 23 spaces.
The spherical Big Apple kiosk will also remain, along with the listed Monkey House toilets below.
A Swansea Council spokesman said: “The Welsh Government has written to the council to confirm that it will not be calling in the proposal.
“This means that the council will proceed to grant planning permission in line with the committee’s decision.”
Sarah Goodall, a spokeswoman for Mumbles Action Group, which opposes the development plans, said: “We are deeply disappointed by the Welsh Government’s decision.
“We have always maintained our campaign was aimed at saving a national historic environment for the nation, in fact for anyone who values a unique view.
“It is difficult to accept the attitude of the Welsh Government that we are just a bunch of residents who don’t want a block of flats in our back yard.”
She claimed the situation did “not bode well for the future of tourism” at the gateway to Gower.
She added: “A block of flats does not bring economic development, just more traffic.”
She said the group was waiting to hear how the Welsh Government would respond to the data supplied.
“Once we have further information, we will consider our next steps,” she said.