Swansea Bay Futures - Latest developments
Neath and Port Talbot to enjoy twin cash boost
May 8, 2012A grant of £13 million has been awarded for phase one of Neath's long-awaited new shopping centre.
The announcement came just days before work started on a £2.3 million facelift for Port Talbot town centre. The council has accepted a proposal for funding from the Regional Investment Fund for Wales for the Neath redevelopment.
It has been in behind-the-scenes negotiations for some time for the regional investment funding. The package is designed to bring forward further private sector investment and to help developments move forward in the current economic difficulties.
Head of property and regeneration Gareth Nutt said there was still a lot of work required before the funding could be used for the first phase. But, he said, it provided an opportunity to progress the scheme with Simons Developments, the council's preferred developer. "There is no date yet for any construction work to start," said Mr Nutt. "It will depend on a number of other commercial arrangements being put in place. This is good news for Neath town centre. However, it does not mean the development will go ahead straight away. The council will continue to work with its partners to bring forward the development in phases as and when market conditions allow. This funding will help the council to take that opportunity when it arises. There is still a long way to go but the council is determined to put itself in the best position possible to allow the development to happen."
400 new jobs to be created by Sainsbury's expansion in Carmarthenshire
Apr 5, 2012More than 400 new jobs look set to be created by Sainsbury’s in Carmarthenshire, where plans for two supermarkets were approved by planners.
The first, in Cross Hands, formed part of an outline planning application for a major development of land, including new housing, a medical care centre and a residential home. The second was approved for Llandeilo. Both projects, which were subject to retail impact assessments, are expected to create in excess of 200 jobs each and stem losses of shoppers from their catchment areas. The plans for each will now go to the Welsh Government to be considered under the Shopping Directive because of the combined scale of the plans.
Plans in place for new 18m leisure complex in Llanelli
Apr 5, 2012Plans to regenerate a former tinplate works site in Llanelli into a multimillion-pound leisure complex have taken a step forward.
The proposals to transform the Old Castle Works into an £18 million state-of-the-art facility are to be incorporated into the Llanelli Coast Joint Venture, a partnership between Carmarthenshire Council and the Welsh Government. The long-awaited scheme will include a leisure centre, sports academy, ten-pin bowling alley and indoor and outdoor adventure activities. Business Minister Edwina Hart accepted the request from the council to include it in the venture on a site visit to the area last week. Mrs Hart said: "I am delighted to confirm my agreement to the inclusion of the Old Castle Works site in the Joint Venture. It is a key site for redevelopment with potential to create new jobs and boost the local economy."
First stage of £107m new road opens
Apr 5, 2012The first part of Port Talbot's £107 million Harbour Way dual carriageway has opened and is on course for completion in the autumn of next year.
But the first stage, which runs in parallel with the existing Dock Road, is the first of three phases due to open over the next six months. Work is also well under way on two new entrances for the Tata steelworks. Council leader Ali Thomas said: "Harbour Way will bring huge benefits to residents and businesses and heralds a new chapter in the history of the town. It will shape the future of regeneration in Port Talbot, linking key employment sites and opening up land for development along the waterfront.” When finished, the road will link the completed Harbourside Road phase at Afan Way to the A48 near junction 38 of the motorway at Margam. Not only will this open up areas of land for development, transport officials say it should also ease some of the pressure on the M4.
Green light for Llandarcy homes plan
Apr 5, 2012More than 800 jobs will be created after planners cleared the way for a major housing development at the old BP Oil refinery site in Llandarcy.
Regeneration specialist St Modwen, which is leading the creation of the Coed Darcy urban village, and Persimmon Homes put forward a detailed application for the 302-home scheme. The hugely ambitious Coed Darcy project, which is backed by Prince Charles, envisages the development of some 4,000 homes, a secondary school, three primary schools, shopping and leisure facilities. These would go up over the next 25 years at a cost of more than £1 billion. St Modwen said the Persimmon homes would go up at the northern end of the 1,060-acre site, creating up to 880 jobs. Sixty houses have already been built as part of the first phase of the Heritage Gate development at the edge of the urban village site. Work is expected to start on the Persimmon site in July, with the first homes likely to be ready by Christmas.
Watersports centre on course for July completion
Apr 5, 2012Swansea's new watersports centre is on course to be finished by July, contractors have confirmed withthe project due to open for business in early autumn.
The St Helen's centre will feature a cafe, changing facilities and toilets, and will be a base for a range of sports including kite-surfing and stand-up paddle boarding. Its sister development in Mumbles which involves the existing Knab Rock council building being replaced with new toilets and showers is also on track for July. Nigel Coulter, from building firm Opco Construction, said: "The project is on time. The steel frame of the Knab Rock building is going up imminently and we expect to start fitting a roof on the new watersports centre opposite St Helen's this week." The project is part of a £1.4 million scheme to develop watersports in Swansea Bay, funded by the Wales European Funding Office and the Welsh Government.
New Road for Swansea Tawe Corridor
Apr 5, 2012The next step in the process to create a new road along the Tawe corridor has received the green light.
A new report has outlined plans for the new Morfa distributor road, which Swansea Council hopes will significantly reduce traffic along Neath Road in the Hafod area.
They also hope it will lead to regeneration opportunities along the Tawe riverside corridor. The proposed route runs from Normandy roundabout near the Liberty Stadium and parallel to the Tawe River where it would link up with New Cut Road.
An earlier route received planning permission in March 2010. However, plans to preserve Hafod Copperworks as an industrial heritage site have meant the route needed to be revised.
Swansea Council's cabinet voted to approve revised plans for the realignment of the proposed Morfa distributor road which would form the basis of a new planning application. A bid for Regional Transport Grant funding has been made to enable the detailed design of the scheme to go ahead.
Go-ahead for demolition of shoping centre
Apr 5, 2012Members of Swansea Council's planning committee have approved the plan to knock down part of St David's Shopping Centre and for a temporary car park to be built in its place.
Under the proposals part of the centre will be demolished to make way for a surface car park, with facilities for disabled parking, with the car park being given a lifespan of three years, in recognition of the authority's hopes it will be able to attract new investment to the site. The entrance to the car park will be between St David's Church and the former Shopmobility building. Swansea Council bought the site in partnership with the Welsh Government last year for £3.3million as part of its plans to regenerate the city centre.
Meanwhile, Swansea Council has also bought the empty Oldway House building thanks to a £2.1 million grant from the Welsh Government. The dated 1960s design building was formerly used by the DSS and as a call centre. A spokesman for Swansea Council said the authority would be looking for funding to cover the costs of demolishing Oldway House, and internal stripping would start before the end of the year, with the demolition earmarked to start early next year. He added: "The section of the St David's site earmarked for the car park is predominantly empty and all traders and residents in the area are being kept updated about the plans."
£9.5m Morriston Hospital extension will boost services
Apr 5, 2012Services for patients at Morriston Hospital are getting another boost after the latest stage of its £80 million redevelopment was announced.
Health Minister Lesley Griffiths confirmed £9.5 million would be spent on a new artificial limb and rehabilitation centre for patients from across South West Wales. Later this month around 200 tonnes of steel will be brought into the site ready for construction to start.
The wider hospital redevelopment, called HealthVision Swansea, is seeing old and substandard buildings ditched and modern, fit-for-purpose premises built. It has already seen new roads and car parks built, and almost £6 million invested in Morriston's accident and emergency department.
The new combined specialist rehabilitation unit will provide purpose-designed accommodation for a range of services, including the Artificial Limb and Appliance Centre (ALAC), Rehabilitation Engineering Unit (REU), the orthotics and surgical appliances department and the medical electronics department. The existing ALAC unit will be refurbished and a new three-storey building put up to provide specialist clinical accommodation.
Tata prepares for £185m furnace work
Mar 5, 2012Work on the biggest construction project to take place in the UK this year will get under way in Port Talbot during the summer.
Steel giant Tata is preparing the groundwork ready to replace one of the blast furnaces at the plant. The £185 million scheme will be a mammoth undertaking involving military-style precision. Tata has now submitted the planning application to Neath Port Talbot Council to demolish the existing Blast Furnace No. 4 and build a new one.
Tata spokesman Robert Dangerfield said the project, which he described as a critical one for the Port Talbot site, was on target. “It's evidence of the commitment to longterm, sustainable steel-making in Port Talbot. At £185 million, it's the UK's biggest construction project this year, and associated with it is the £53 million project at the steelmaking plant," said Mr Dangerfield. "We have a cascade of further engineering works and investment here. It means that the Port Talbot site is benefiting to the tune of more than £250 million. On the strength of other, similar investments it makes us a real focus for capital investment. It tells you something about the strategic importance of South Wales to the steel market."
Although the project is not creating any Tata Steel jobs directly, it is providing work for numerous engineering, supply and construction contractors.
Port Talbot riverside set to get dramatic transformation
Mar 5, 2012The riverside in Port Talbot town centre is on the verge of a dramatic transformation.
Council chiefs have confirmed they want to demolish more eyesore buildings to make the area attractive to investors. It has been announced that the privately-owned Towngate Business Centre is to be flattened while the authority are also looking at old industrial units across the river in Green Park Industrial Estate.
Both schemes are linked to the council's ambitious proposals to regenerate the docks and town centre areas of Port Talbot. "The council has been working behind the scenes for some time on a plan for the future of the Green Park site," said an authority spokeswoman. "The first phase of regeneration will see environmental enhancements along the river, making the area much more attractive and appealing for developers and investors. The long-term plan will potentially incorporate a riverside walk, parking and a mixed-use development.”
A planning application for demolition has been submitted to be considered by councillors. Assuming it is approved; work will start soon afterwards and will take up to 10 weeks to complete.
£6.3m research village for Port Talbot
Mar 5, 2012New jobs are heading for Port Talbot where a £6 million high-tech investment has been announced.
The cash will create a research and development village in the town's Harbourside area, with companies including steel giant Tata already on board. It's being hailed as an early boost for Neath Port Talbot Council's regeneration proposals for the area.
The council and developer Deryn Properties have secured a South West Wales Property Development Fund grant for the R&D village, with Tata and TWI signed up as tenants.
Neath Port Talbot's environment director John Flower said: "The council has been working with the private sector developers towards securing a grant to build a research and development village on Harbourside. As well as Tata and TWI, it will also attract other similar companies which will fit into our plans for the regeneration of the docks site. It is very pleasing to see our forward plans based on the Harbourside investment already paying dividends with this high quality development."
The new centre, costing £6.3 million, will be made up of three buildings totalling 42,000sq ft, with more space available for expansion. The architects are Rio Architects from Cardiff. Planning permission will be sought for a site next to the Port Talbot Justice Centre.
The Harbour Way project, financed by the European Regional Development Fund and the Welsh Government, is designed to take pressure off the M4 and open up areas of land for development. By the time it is finished in 2013 it will stretch from Junction 38 at Margam to the east to Seaway Parade in the west, passing through the docks area and the edge of the town centre along the way. Apart from diverting traffic from the increasingly congested motorway, it will open up swathes of land for development.
New homes plan for Tycoch square
Mar 5, 2012Demolition work is being carried out on the old Sketty Primary School site that closed eight years ago. Now the Swansea suburb is set for a boost with the arrival of apartments there. Behind the scheme is Pennant Homes, a subsidiary of Coastal Housing Group.
The company has released an artist's impression of how it sees the scheme turning out, although no time scale has yet been set. With demolition now in progress, the site is being land banked — meaning it is being held in reserve ahead of the scheme. "Pennant Homes have obtained planning permission for the demolition of the former Sketty Primary School with a view to creating a new development of apartments, primarily to help local first time buyers get on the property ladder under our Homebuy Scheme," said a spokeswoman. "Once the site is cleared, advertising boards will display artist's impressions and contact details for the proposed development to encourage interest and assess local demand.”
Gwalia develops new homes for Swansea City Centre
Mar 5, 2012Social housing provider Gwalia has announced that planning permission has been granted to build 18 new homes in Swansea city centre.
The homes will utilise funding from the Welsh Government for an innovative new intermediate rent model scheme called Rent First which
aims to provide affordable rental solutions with the option of future purchase of the property. The 18 one and two bedroom apartments will be built on the site of the former Bevan and Buckland accountants’ office on Russell Street.
Executive director of property development and management, Stuart Davies said “These properties will be aimed specifically at people who are in employment who are finding it hard to afford rent for a home on the open market; rent levels will be lower than open market rents for similar properties in the area. With this scheme, we also have the opportunity to issue tenants with a purchase option agreement which will mean that they have the ability to buy their home at a later date if they so wish.” Award winning architects, Hyde & Hyde were appointed to design the new apartments.
Phase two starts at SA1 Business Park
Mar 5, 2012Richard Hayward Properties (RHP) plans to expand SA1 Business Park on the outskirts of Swansea after letting the first phase of development.
The business park is part of the redevelopment of the former AWCO works. The 100,000 sq ft factory, which closed in 2001, is being turned into a business park, with the first 12 units completed and now fully occupied, according to RHP. The units have been taken by tenants including Cellnovo, Mad Science and Cross-Fit Gym. RHP said phase two is now underway and will create a further 12 units. "We have received exceptionally high demand for these units and they are being let quicker than we can build them," said Richard Hayward.
Watersports Centre Management contract awarded
Mar 5, 2012Bay Leisure Ltd, the not for profit company that manages leisure attraction the LC, has joined forces with Swansea University and won the tender to manage Wales’ first dual purpose water and beach sports centre that is set to open opposite St Helen’s ground in Swansea this autumn.
Central to the partnership’s winning bid was their focus on creating a year-round community facility focused on making the most of sporting opportunities both in the sea and on the adjoining beach. By partnering with existing water sports businesses in the area, the centre will offer a range of sports to individuals of all ability levels.
The great expanse of beach on Swansea Bay also means that beach sports and activities will play an equally important role in the proposed programme. The centre, which is yet to be named, will focus on providing a community facility that is inclusive and accessible to everyone. The facilities will include a café, changing facilities, toilets and a multi-function room on site.
The centre will also include a state-of-the-art Changing Places toilet for use by people with multiple or profound disabilities – one of the only foreshore facilities of its kind in Wales. As well as offering sports and activities from the centre itself, it will also become a one-stop-shop and signposting point for all things beach and water sport related throughout Swansea and Gower.
The construction of centre is being funded by the Welsh Government through Visit Wales and is backed by the European Regional Development Fund and the Regeneration Area Programme. Construction work has already started with completion expected late this summer with a view to opening to the public in autumn.
Boost for Swansea city centre as regeneration bid moves forward
Feb 6, 2012A major regeneration project to help boost Swansea city centre has taken another step forward.
Last month (January) Swansea Council and the Welsh Government unveiled plans to demolish part of the St David's Shopping Centre under major regeneration plans for the city centre.
Since then the council has lodged a planning application to create a temporary 160-space car park by the end of the year.
Lee Jones, store manager at Cranes music store in St David's Square, said the project would help businesses.
He said: "People don't tend to come down as far as our shop because they either don't know we're here or because they're put off by the derelict buildings.
"Car parking has also been a problem because our customers can't park close enough to the shop to pick up some musical equipment like drum kits or amplifiers that they've ordered.
"This scheme will help us because it will give our customers somewhere close to park and will help with passing trade. It will also make us more visible to other parts of the city centre."
According to the plans, there will be space for 160 vehicles, including nine designated blue badge spaces, and ten cycle parking spaces.
The entrance to the car park will be the road between St David's Church and the former Shopmobility building. Cars will exit into Albert Row on the opposite side of the car park.
The application said the council wanted consent for a car park for three years so that its hopes "for a retail-led development on the site can be met in the medium term".
The section of the site earmarked for the temporary car park is mainly empty and all traders and residents in the area are being updated about the proposals, the council said.
Chris Holley, leader of Swansea Council, said: "Now that Threadneedle has sold the site to us and the Welsh Government we want to get on with the job.
"A temporary car park in the city centre will help boost trade. But our long-term aspiration is to redevelop the area when market conditions improve."
The council will be working with its partner, development company Hammerson, to consider proposals for the site as part of its overall strategy for improving retail in the city centre.
Chance to snap up landmark Swansea building
Feb 6, 2012Imaginative developers across the UK and beyond now have the chance to snap up one of Swansea's most recognisable buildings.
Swansea Council is marketing The Observatory on the seafront by inviting interested parties to submit their proposals and financial offers for the building by the end of March.
The five-storey Observatory was built in 1988 and includes a domed roof and an access tower that houses a spiral staircase with balconies linking the structures at each upper level. The ground floor has its own separate entrance which means it could potentially be occupied on a standalone basis.
The building also includes a stained-glass roof by internationally-renowned artist David Pearl and panels of carved poetry by leading Welsh poet Nigel Jenkins.
It's located on the beachfront within a stone's throw of the SA1 development, Swansea city centre and boat-mooring opportunities at Swansea Marina.
The Observatory building has been vacant for about two years.
Cllr Gareth Sullivan, Swansea Council's Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Planning, said: "We'd like to see a mixed-use development that incorporates features of the existing Observatory building but we'd invite any developers with other imaginative design ideas to get in touch because we don't want to preclude innovative proposals.
"This building presents an exciting opportunity at a prestigious waterfront location within touching distance of the city centre that offers panoramic views of Swansea Bay.
"Bringing the Observatory back into use would add even more vitality to the promenade."
The news comes in the wake of the completion of an upgrade on the promenade between the Observatory building and the Civic Centre that included new lighting, handrails, benches and bins.
Work will also soon start on a Watersports Centre of Excellence funded by the Welsh Government just off the promenade opposite St Helen's that will feature changing rooms, showers, toilets, a multi-functional space and an area to store specialist watersports equipment.
Cllr Sullivan said: "We're doing all we can to make the most of our stunning coastline and develop closer links between the waterfront and the city centre. The Observatory building is one piece of a jigsaw that we hope will help Swansea maximise its enormous potential."
Contact Andrew North or Katy Evans at Swansea Council for more information. Andrew can be reached on andrew.north@swansea.gov.uk or 01792 636130. Katy can be reached on katy.evans@swansea.gov.uk or 01792 636422.
Work on Swansea's boulevard scheme
Feb 6, 2012Work on giving Swansea's busiest road a multi-million pound new look is likely to start in the autumn. Close to £9 million will go on creating a European-style boulevard along Oystermouth Road.
The council-backed scheme includes a tree-lined central reservation, better access to the Waterfront Museum and the LC as well as wide pavements.
It is hoped the makeover will finally end the divide between the city centre and the seafront. The work will take place between Albert Row and the Tawe bridges.
Tony McGetrick, chairman of Swansea Bay tourism said: "It will help to link up the city centre to the seafront and the improvements will make be of great benefit to the area."
In addition, changes to traffic light sequences will help traffic flow better. Public art is also planned along the route.
Work is likely to start later this year.
The £8.9 million project will build upon recent improvements at the river bridges where a new traffic layout has been put in place, along with work on Wind Street/Quay Parade and Oystermouth Road/ Westway junctions.
The council is also considering whether to amend traffic orders for Wind Street and reduce vehicle access to improve the area for pedestrians.
Swansea Council leader Chris Holley said: "The boulevard will bring major improvements to the main gateway into Swansea by improving the appearance of the area and helping traffic flow.
"It will also make the most of our fantastic waterfront city location by making it easier to move between the city centre and seafront.
"This will boost the local economy by encouraging more people to use the city centre and the waterfront.
"The recent successful completion of the river bridge scheme should give people confidence that we'll do everything we can to minimise disruption."
Gareth Sullivan, cabinet member for economic regeneration and planning, added: "It's clear that Oystermouth Road acts as a barrier between the city centre and the waterfront, and the project will generate better links between the two by introducing quality crossings for pedestrians at key locations.
"We need to make the most of Swansea's stunning coastline and this scheme will encourage far more people to cross back and forth between the city."
Watersport bid charts a course for bay success
Feb 6, 2012Swansea Bay's new watersports centre is set to break ground early in this year (2012).
A contractor has been appointed for the facility on the prom opposite St Helen's, which will house changing rooms, showers, toilets, and an area to store specialist watersports equipment.
Kite-surfing, kite-buggying and stand-up paddle boarding are among the activities that could feature at the centre.
Lifesaving courses could also be run from the building.
Graham Thomas, Swansea Council's cabinet member for culture, recreation and tourism, said: "Most people would agree that Swansea's best asset is our spectacular bay and seaside scenery.
"But we need to maximise its potential and these schemes will help Swansea continue to build on its reputation as an outstanding location for watersports and tourism.
"We're delighted to be working in close partnership with the Welsh Government on another hugely positive project for the city."
OPCO Construction will build the centre as well as replacing the existing council building at Knab Rock with a purpose-built facility that will include public toilets, showering facilities, changing rooms, an office and a tourism information distribution point.
Work on both projects should be complete by the end of July 2012.
They form part of a £1.4 million scheme to make Swansea Bay a Watersports Centre of Excellence that is being funded by the Wales European Funding Office as well as the Welsh Government through Visit Wales and the Regeneration Area programme.
Mumbles Community Council is also making a contribution towards the Knab Rock scheme.
New promenade plan for Pendine
Dec 26, 2011A village famous for its land-speed record attempts will see work start in the new year on a £500,000 project to improve the seafront.
A new promenade will be built at Pendine in Carmarthenshire, along with landscaping works.
Its seven-mile long beach has been used for various record attempts detailed in the village's Museum of Speed.
Carmarthenshire council hopes to increase visitor numbers and extend Pendine's tourist season.
The new promenade will link to the Wales Costal Path, which is due to open in 2012.
The EU-funded investment will also see a new public square close to the foreshore.
The aim of the project is to boost tourism to the village During the 1920s Pendine was used by both Sir Malcolm Campbell and JG Parry-Thomas as they battled to set new world land-speed records.
More recently, it has hosted other speed record attempts, including one by an electric car and another by a lawnmower.
An exhibition of the plans for the seafront will be staged at the museum in January.
The council said it planned to carry out the work during the winter months to minimise disruption.
Clive Scourfield, the executive board member for regeneration, said: "The promenade plans are aimed at providing an attractive focal point for visitors entering the community.
"Pendine has the potential to be a first-class leisure destination and our aim is to work together with the local community to realise that aim."
Neath and Port Talbot to get £14m revamp
Dec 13, 2011A massive investment in Neath and Port Talbot has been announced by the Welsh Government.
It has confirmed more than £14 million will be spent breathing new life into the two main town centres and regenerating the Afan Valley village of Croeserw.
The idea is to create a better environment for residents and businesses, as well as attracting visitors and potential investors.
Millions of pounds will be spent on street improvements in Port Talbot’s town centre and in Neath.
A purpose-built community enterprise centre at Croeserw, previously announced by Neath Port Talbot Council, will now go ahead. There are also proposals to carry on environmental and other improvements throughout the village.
Full details of the main proposals within the package are expected to be announced later this week. The total cost is £14.6 million, with the Welsh Government contributing a £9.6 million funding package, including support from the European Regional Development Fund, the Western Valleys Regeneration Area and Cadw. The remainder of the funding will come from Neath Port Talbot Council and private sector resources.
Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Housing Huw Lewis was in Neath yesterdayafternoon to meet traders. Mr Lewis said:
“Creating an attractive environment will instil renewed pride from the community, increase commercial confidence and employment opportunities, building an area in which people can live, work and thrive."
Deputy Minister for European Programmes Alun Davies added:
“This investment demonstrates how our management of EU funds ensures we can back vital projects which will create jobs, better business opportunities and generate greater prosperity for the area.”
The proposals also include funding for businesses to make improvements to their commercial properties and a property development fund to help create the right infrastructure for businesses to thrive.
Council leader Ali Thomas said: “Neath Port Talbot Council is committed to actively supporting its town centres and local traders. This cash boost is very welcome. It will help to secure and revitalise the town centres into the future.”
Aberavon AM David Rees welcomed the investment.
“The new community centre in Croeserw will provide a new resource facility for the community” he said. “This money will also provide an opportunity to reinvigorate the town centre and encourage more businesses to come into Port Talbot”
£231 million boost for Swansea Bay schools
Dec 8, 2011Multi-million pound plans to build and refurbish schools in Swansea Bay have been backed by the Welsh Government.
Announcing the latest package of school funding, part of a £1.4 billion investment across Wales, Education Minister Leighton Andrews said it would ensure pupils had the best learning environments to help drive up standards and meet changing needs.
The funding is part of the the Welsh Government's 21st Century Schools programme.
£51 million will be ploughed into Swansea's schools. As well as three new primary schools the cash will also pay for significant upgrades at other schools including Pentrehafod comprehensive.
The projects are all part of Swansea's Quality in Education (QEd) 2020 programme which is aimed at improving schools, raising standards and making better use of resources.
The proposals for three new schools would provide a single school replacement for Cwmbwrla and Manselton primary schools on a new site, a new school on a new site for Gowerton primary as well as a new primary school for Gorseinon.
Also proposed is a major upgrade for Pentrehafod Comprehensive and YGG Lon-las as well as a range of smaller-scale improvements at other schools including Pentre'r Graig, Glyncollen and Newton primary schools as part of the continuing county-wide QEd 2020 programme.
QEd 2020 has already seen range of improvements at schools across the city. Currently Cefn Hengoed Community School and Morriston Comprehensive School are benefiting from more than £35 million of improvements.
More than £90 million is on its way to help breath new life into many of Neath Port Talbot's schools.
Neath Port Talbot had applied for £92 million to help build: a three to 16 school on a new site to replace Glanafan, Cwrt Sart and Sandfields Comprehensive schools and Traethmelyn Primary schools which would close; a new three to 11 school on the existing Glanymor Primary school site, to replace Glanymor and Tirmorfa primary schools which will close; a new Welsh Medium secondary school on the site of the vacated Sandfields Comprehensive school and federate with a reconfigured 11 to 18 YG Ystalyfera; a new three to 16 faith school on the existing St Joseph's Comprehensive school site, to replace St Joseph's Infant, Junior and Comprehensive; the roll out of the NPT ICT Learning Gateway; and a new build 21st century three to 11 school (Phase 1) in the Coed Darcy urban village.
£87 million of new money will mean that a dozen schools in Carmarthenshire can be built or refurbished.
The Government funding when added to money from Carmarthenshire Council should allow £151 million to be spent on county schools by 2020.
In Llanelli it will allow the £14 million merger of Copperworks and Lakefield schools to create the long-planned new Seaside school, according to a copy of the council’s submission to the Government. Upgrades to secondary schools at Strade, Coedcae, St John Lloyd, and Llanelli Vocational Village are now also funded.
There will be £2.5million for the merger of Burry Port Infant and Junior Schools, £4.5 million for reconstructing Carreg Hirfaen and £6.5million for rebuilding Trimsaran.
Proposals for Ammanford have been backed which, according to the submission, involved the closure of Ammanford Nursery, Bro Banw and Gymraeg Rhydaman with two new primaries, one English and one Welsh, replacing them at a cost of £15million.
Mr Andrews said: "This announcement will ensure that we continue to provide the best learning environments for our pupils — helping us to drive up standards across our schools and meet the changing needs of learners
"Securing capital investment in these difficult economic times is essential, not only for better education outcomes, but for the continued support of our construction industry and the growth of our economy.
"We will now work together with our partners in local government to take this programme forwards and deliver the first wave of a long-term programme of investment."
Swansea's Hafod Copperworks wins £540,000 grant
Dec 2, 2011Swansea's historic Hafod copperworks site is to open to the public thanks to a grant in the region of £540,000.
The Welsh government has announced funds to help bring the site, which closed in 1980, back to life.
The money from Welsh heritage body Cadw will be used to restore some of its features and create tourist trails.
The copperworks opened in 1810 and it was the largest copper works in the world during the 19th Century. The site lies over 12 acres by the River Tawe.
The remains of the Grade II listed building is close to Swansea City and the Ospreys' Liberty Stadium home and the parc Morfa retail outlet.
The copperworks was owned by the Vivian family and by 1886, Vivian and Sons was employing 3,000 people, 1,000 of whom worked at the site.
Last year the land was put on the market by Swansea council with the hope of developing a waterfront hotel, restaurant and homes.
The council admitted the response was been disappointing but said the potential for commercial development remained.
Swansea's Hafod copperworks closed in 1980 In January, Swansea University was named as Swansea council's preferred partner in developing the site.
The university said at the time there was potential to develop some of the buildings into "a significant educational and research facility".
Work could start early next year on the scheme that will include tourist trails, a visitor gateway and an annual on-site event that will celebrate the copper industry and both its local and global history.
Archaeological work will also be undertaken to reveal any of the site's hidden features and interpretation will be added to highlight buildings of importance.
The works will be phased and should be complete by the end of 2013.
The Welsh government is contributing £277,000 to the scheme through regeneration funding and targeted match funding and £244,000 has been provided from the European Regional Development Fund as part of the Welsh government's £19m heritage tourism project.
Swansea council has also contributed to the project. Leader Chris Holley said there was a "huge opportunity" for the footfall through the site.
Councillor Holley said: "The Hafod copperworks has largely fallen into dereliction since its closure in 1980 but this project will breathe new life into one of the UK's most important industrial revolution sites.
"We've been working closely alongside Swansea University on plans that will help conserve the site and celebrate its past and this scheme will act as a stepping-stone for other exciting developments in future.
"There's a huge opportunity for footfall through the site because of the worldwide interest in our industrial heritage and the proximity of the Morfa retail park and premier league football at the Liberty Stadium."
In March, a festival was held to mark the 200th anniversary since the first copper ingot was produced at the site.
£107m Port Talbot link road project gathers speed
Nov 11, 2011Work on Port Talbot's multi-million new dual carriageway is gathering speed.
The Harbour Way Project is now nearly a third of the way through and is on track for completion in September 2013.
The £107 million peripheral distributor road, which has been funded by the Assembly, will provide a 4.8km link to the M4 at junction 38 into Port Talbot and the docks.
Community relations manager for contractor Costain, Ieuan Davies, said they were pleased with the progress so far as they approach the end of the first year of construction.
"September 2013 is when the road will be completed so we have got two years to go," he said.
"We are progressing well. We are ahead in some places and behind in some others, but that is not causing any concern."
Work currently being undertaken includes a new roundabout being created on the A48, which will link the road to the M4.
Part of the project is also taking shape next to Docks Road, where tarmac is expected to be laid in the next few weeks. Costain hope that this part of the road will be open after Christmas.
There is also work being carried out on a new tunnel over the existing Cefn Gwrgan Bridge in Margam.
The bridge is to be demolished in September 2012, and a new main entrance for Tata Steel will be created.
Mr Davies said that as a lot of work was not visible to the general public, they encouraged people to find out more about the project.
"Some people have come along to the visitors centre," he said. "It is always a pleasure to meet the local residents of Neath and Port Talbot.
"We do like to keep people informed, and all our information is on the website.
"It is good to be able to talk to people and answer any questions or queries they have and to show them the layout of the road."
Once completed it is hoped the road will help with traffic problems on the M4 ,and will be an attractive gateway to the town, as well as open up new development opportunities.
The Harbour Way visitors centre in North Bank Road is open every Wednesday between 1pm and 6pm.
Visit: www.harbourwayproject.com
Developers' new £10m land deal to boost SA1
Nov 9, 2011A multi-million pound housing development is expected to start in Swansea next year.
Abergavenny developer Landas has bought a 2.2 acre site in the city's SA1 quarter with a view to developing 50 homes.
The firm has bought the land on the east side of the Prince of Wales Dock from the Welsh Government for the £10 million development which is likely to support 30 construction jobs.
A spokeswoman for the Welsh Government said the site attracted inquiries from more than 10 developers across the UK.
Mike Sibley, of Landas, said: "We are delighted to have secured this site at SA1 which demonstrates our confidence and commitment in the SA1 development."
Landas is currently in talks with planners over the size of the homes due to be developed at the site.
Business Minister Edwina Hart said the continued interest in SA1, a £400 million flagship development by the Welsh Government, is a sign of investor confidence.
She said: "This is particularly pleasing news in the current economic climate and sends out a very positive message to investors and developers and supports the construction sector which is slowly recovering from the recession.
"There are now more than 2,800 people working on SA1 which is set to increase as other developments come on stream."
Landas is the development arm of DT Civils and the latest residential scheme is its third investment in the SA1 quarter. The company is currently involved in developing a multistorey car park on the site and was responsible for restoring and renovating the Ice House which is now trading as an art gallery and wine bar offering live entertainment and food.
SA1 was originally designed as a £400 million flagship development by the Welsh Government to transform a disused dock land area into a dynamic and vibrant quarter linked to the city centre.
It is home to firms including Admiral Insurance, one of the biggest private employers in Swansea, a range of restaurants and a 132-room Premier Inn, the largest hotel in the city.
The latest residential plans from Landas will see homes built on land over looking the 40 acre Prince of Wales Dock next to another housing scheme from Hale Construction where a range of family town houses are currently under construction.
There are now more than 460 apartments on SA1 including more than 200 units developed by social housing organisations.
£13.5m to create 1,000 jobs park at Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire
Nov 9, 2011A new employment park is to be built in Carmarthenshire which could bring more than 1,000 jobs to the area.
The Welsh government has announced a plan to invest £13.5m in developing the business park at Cross Hands.
Community leaders have described the plans as great news and a significant boost for the county.
The money will pay for new roads and other infrastructure at the site called Cross Hands East, next to Cross Hands Business Park.
The area is also home to Cross Hands Food Park, a joint venture by the Welsh government and council to bring food companies to the area.
They plan to promote the additional site for businesses to "source and sell" within the local and regional area.
"Despite difficult economic times it is vital that we develop the sites to accommodate future business investment and expansion," said councillor Clive Scourfield, executive board member for regeneration.
"The earmarking of these funds for infrastructure works is great news and it will be a significant boost for the county."
Officials at Carmarthenshire council will manage the project, with the authority investing £4m.
The £13.5m will be spent on a new access road from the A48, along with a new internal road and bringing in electricity, gas, water, drainage, lighting as well as landscaping.
Carmarthenshire deputy chief executive Dave Gilbert said: "It is great news for the county and will provide serviced sites in the longer term for the county when hopefully the economy will be showing signs of improvement.
"Cross Hands is a strategic site for ourselves and Welsh government and the food park opposite has been a great success for the local economy."
Negotiations over the sale of some land still needs to be resolved.
Welsh government Regeneration Minister Huw Lewis said: "The development of this site will boost the region's economy by creating an accessible and high quality environment to ensure businesses succeed, attracting further investment and leading to more job opportunities."
Start on Swansea's new health centre for 3,000 patients a day
Oct 27, 2011Work has started on the new flagship £7.25 million Beacon Centre for Health in Swansea’s SA1.
It will be home to the Tawe Medical Practice; Port Tennant GP Practice; Eastside Dental Practice; ABM University Health Board services, Swansea University College of Medicine and the Coop Pharmacy.
Discussions to develop the 3,300 square metre building began in 2005 when the SA1 waterfront development to transform the city’s docks was just beginning.
The primary care centre, due to open in 2013, will be on a prominent site at the gateway to SA1.
It will provide a spacious and modern environment over four floors, with a basement car park and a three-storey atrium. When built, it will be the largest primary care facility in the city.
The centre will provide increased capacity for NHS GP and dental services, and a range of NHS services which to date have been provided in hospital settings.
Swansea University’s College of Medicine is an integral part of the development, with purpose-designed training facilities being incorporated into the building for the next generation of doctors.
The contemporary design will incorporate natural zinc cladding and glazing with black face brickwork, and feature cut-out render panels. When fully operational the building will have a through put of up to 3,000 patients a day.
Musculoskeltal Clinical Assessment Services (MCAS), Warfarin Monitoring Services and a range of screening and support services will be provided by ABM in the centre, rather than in hospital settings as is currently the case. This will ensure services are more accessible to the population.
The additional space for NHS dental services means there will be specifically designed accessible space for people with disabilities. The centre will also offer an increased range of GP procedures and clinics.
Apollo Capital Projects, which has developed the scheme on behalf of ABM, has appointed Swansea-based construction company, Dawnus as their construction partners. Dawnus, which has its head office in Morriston, employs many local workers which means this multi-million pound scheme will insure a direct re-investment in the local community.
ABM University Health Board and its construction partners will be working with the City and County of Swansea’s Beyond Bricks and Mortar initiative to maximise the benefits of such a large project to the local workforce. Construction is expected to take around 16 months.
The centre’s name was chosen because ‘Beacon’ signified guidance, hope and reliability in times of need.
Win Griffiths Chairman of ABM University Health Board said: “This will be an outstanding building which will offer state-of-the art facilities for patients and a wonderful environment for staff to work in. We are delighted that we will be able to provide a range of services, like the Warfarin Monitoring Service, at the new centre because this means patients will not need to go onto a busy hospital site.
“A key part of modernising the NHS is taking as many services as possible into the community, closer to people’s homes.”
Rob James, Apollo’s Operational Director said: “Being involved in this development of the Beacon Centre for Health has been very challenging but ultimately enjoyable. Realising ABM’s vision for an integrated centre in SA1 has been very rewarding and we are looking forward to delivering a building that exceeds expectations.”
Next Phase for Neath's Gwyn Hall
Sep 13, 2011The curtain will finally rise on Neath's new-look Gwyn Hall early in 2012.
Work to redevelop the fire-ravaged building has hit another important stage with the removal of the outside scaffolding.
Contractors are now working on the stylish new entrance foyer as well as continuing with major structural features inside.
The Gwyn Hall closed for restoration five years ago. But the following year fire broke out weeks before the overhaul was due to be completed, requiring a second major investment — this time amounting to £7 million.
A Neath Port Talbot Council spokesman said: "The outside scaffolding has now been removed following the completion of the major external structural work.
"This allows the steel frame to be put up on the front of the building, to house the entrance lobby, gallery and coffee shop.
"Work is also progressing on the inside of the multi-purpose arts venue which will incorporate an auditorium theatre, cinema pod, studio, cafe-bistro and interval bar. There will also be facilities for conferences and other corporate events.
"It is expected that the building work will be completed by the end of the year.
"There will then be a period of a few weeks for staff training and a commissioning process for the specialised theatre equipment to allow the official public opening of the Gwyn Hall in the new year."
The Gwyn Hall was built in Orchard Street at a cost of £6,000 in the 1880s.
It was named after Neath dignitary Howell Gwyn, who donated the land.
Over the years, it was used for council meetings, and as a cultural venue before closing for its first restoration in 2006.
Council leader Ali Thomas said: "I think it is worth reminding the public that we were only a couple of weeks away from reopening the Gwyn Hall after a refurbishment programme a few years ago.
"Of course, following the fire we have been negotiating with our insurers and working to secure additional funding.
"All this has been achieved and now we are seeing the rebuild coming to fruition.
"I look forward to the opening of what will be a truly magnificent community facility in the near future."
Plans for £39m hotel complex on Mumbles Head given green light
Jun 24, 2011Plans to develop a £39m hotel and luxury apartments complex on Mumbles Head have been approved by Swansea councillors.
The outline application consists of residential flats, retail units and restaurant, a new pedestrian boardwalk, a redevelopment of the pavilion and a six-storey building that would either be a 70-bed hotel or more apartments.
The developers who submitted the scheme to the planning committee, family-owned amusement equipment firm AMECO, which owns the land and the crumbling Victorian Mumbles Pier, said it needed cash from the development to restore and re-develop the pier.
The pier dates back to 1898 and has been owned by the Bollom family for 70 years.
Under the plans the rusting pier will be re-built using galvanised steel and there will be more public access.
John Bollom, managing director of AMECO said: “We are delighted at this result which represents the culmination of six years solid work.
“Swansea councillors have given the scheme a vote of confidence and we intend delivering on their expectations.”
“The overwhelming view locally and in the wider community is that ours is a sustainable scheme that will improve Mumbles and provide a much-needed boost to the area.”
He claimed the vote safeguarded Mumbles as the operational home for the key offshore RNLI vessel.
He said: “Our next steps are to finalise the necessary funding packages and begin the land sale tendering process.”
The planning committee has placed a number of conditions on approval of the scheme.
They include repairing and re-developing the pier being the first phase of the scheme.
The developers must also improve bus services to and from the pier, provide an element of affordable housing and improve access to the beach.
