Swansea selects Urban Splash for £750m regen

Swansea Council teamed up with Urban Splash as preferred development partner for a £750m project to deliver key sites around the city. The council unveiled the plans a year ago, after five years assembling land and preparing a planning framework. Initial proposals will see the redevelopment of 23 acres at the seafront civic centre to create a mixed-use waterfront district of homes, leisure and hospitality. The 5.5-acre Swansea Central North site at the former St David’s Shopping Centre has been earmarked for offices, flats and shared workspace. Urban Splash has formed a joint venture with retail developer Milligan on that scheme. A residential-led scheme will be developed at the 7.5-acre St Thomas site on the river, with a greater focus on family homes and public spaces, including a new terraced river walk, providing direct access to the river for the first time in more than 150 years. See more>> The Future of Swansea The development comes as part of a wider £1bn regeneration strategy, including the £135m Copr Bay development. Swansea council leader Rob Stewart said: “This work has acted as a catalyst to attract a company of Urban Splash’s quality and experience. “The regeneration of these three key sites will help take Swansea to the next level by creating thousands more jobs for local people, hundreds more new homes for local families and a mixed-use, vibrant city centre destination with the footfall it needs to thrive.” Urban Splash co-founder Jonathan Falkingham added: “I have a longstanding affiliation with this brilliant city, attending school here in my younger days. I’m pleased to be back in Swansea to help deliver such an exciting new era for the city. “We have plans for a world-class environment of great architectural quality, that recognises and enhances the existing historic fabric of the local area and its beautiful location.” To send feedback, e-mail emma.rosser@eg.co.uk or tweet @EmmaARosser or @EGPropertyNews Image © Swansea Council