Pic: Swansea Council
Proposals for a new riverside neighbourhood in St Thomas that would deliver 124 new homes – half of them affordable – alongside new public spaces and improved access to the River Tawe will soon go on public display.
The plans, for a seven-acre site on the eastern bank of the river just north of the river bridges, are being brought forward by Swansea Council’s regeneration partner Urban Splash, working with housing partnership specialist Lovell, and Wales’ largest provider of housing, care and support Codi Group.
Residents are invited to help shape the proposals at two public consultation events:
- Wednesday August 12 – Y Storfa on Oxford Street from 12.30pm to 6.30pm
- Thursday August 13 – St Thomas Church on Lewis Street from 10.30am to 4.30pm
The proposals include a mix of houses and apartments, with the majority of the affordable homes intended to be managed by Codi Group.
They also include improved walking and cycling links along with flexible retail or leisure spaces on the ground floor of a gateway apartment building.
Connected open spaces that better link the community with the river are also proposed as part of a plan to create a green and sustainable riverside neighbourhood.
A website where people can see the plans and give online feedback will be made available in the coming weeks.
Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “Providing more affordable homes is one of our biggest priorities, and these proposals show how we can do that while transforming a long-vacant riverside site into a vibrant new neighbourhood.
“This is about creating homes local people can afford in a place that reconnects St Thomas with the River Tawe, and I encourage residents to come along to the consultation events or head online to help shape the plans.”
David Warburton, of Urban Splash, said: “We’re looking forward to sharing these proposals with the community.
“They set out a vision for a sustainable new neighbourhood that delivers much-needed homes while creating greener public spaces, opening up the riverfront and providing new opportunities for people to live, work and spend time by the River Tawe.”
Anthony Vagges, Regional Managing Director of Lovell, added: “We’re proud to be working with Urban Splash and Swansea Council to bring forward a scheme that puts people and place first. Creating high-quality homes, including a 50% affordable housing provision, with open green spaces and improved waterfront access, this development will create new opportunities for local families and businesses while respecting the character of St Thomas.”
The proposals come just weeks after a public consultation was held for the Civic Centre. Urban Splash is charging forward with this wider City Waterfront concept which includes ground‑floor cafés and bars, beach‑sports retail, new apartments together with new cultural spaces, a leading-edge aquarium and flexible events space.
The site, formerly occupied by railway sidings, is one of seven key regeneration sites being brought forward through the long-term partnership between Swansea Council and Urban Splash as part of the broader City on the Beach vision.
Photo: The development site across from the Tawe’s west bank today. Pic: Swansea Council
