Striking video highlights planned city centre transformation for Swansea
New plans to improve Swansea City centre have been released.
This short film shows a greener, more welcoming Castle Square Gardens emerging between a new Community Hub, with library, and the improved Wind Street – with planned changes set to create a destination attractive to pedestrians, cyclists and businesses. In due course, the aim is to link it seamlessly with Swansea Arena and the wider new Copr Bay district.
Council leader Rob Stewart said: “Our £1bn regeneration of Swansea has taken great strides in recent years – and we’re planning for that positive change to continue.
“Our new video gives residents, visitors and businesses a good look at how we want a much greener Castle Square Gardens to look and feel in future.
“It would sit conveniently alongside developments such as the new community hub -complete with main library – and Wind Street.”
The video sweeps up from Wind Street and Princess Way and pans over Caer Street and Castle Bailey Street. It zooms in on the planned new greenery, water features and cafe/restaurant then sweeps from the castle towards Copr Bay.
Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “Our plan is for a fully re-imagined and improved Castle Square Gardens right next to the new community hub.
“Both will create new footfall for local business and new opportunities for people to meet and relax.”
The plan for Castle Square Gardens shows safe play fountains for children, new units for cafes and restaurants, and a substantial increase in greenery.
A planning application is due to be submitted this year – and this will trigger a fresh round of public consultation. Subject to permission being granted, the new-look destination could be in use for the second half of next year (note 2023).
Change-of-use permission has just been granted for the neighbouring former BHS/What! building. This will be home to Swansea’s new main library and other services, hopefully also in the second half of next year.
Image: The proposed new-look Castle Square Gardens, by Swansea Council