Plenty of greenery is being planted alongside a key Swansea city centre gateway to give it a fresh new look.
The selection of plants, shrubs and grassed areas now taking shape on Oystermouth Road forms part of the city’s emerging £135m Copr Bay phase one district.
Running adjacent to a new shared-use pathway for pedestrians and cyclists, the greenery will soon be complemented by a living wall being introduced at the car park under construction nearby.
Developed by Swansea Council and advised by development managers RivingtonHark, Copr Bay phase one also includes a 1.1-acre coastal park that will feature a selection of new trees, including cherries and pines.
They’re among over 70 new trees being introduced as part of the district. New trees will also feature on the ramp leading to the new bridge over Oystermouth Road, along with six new elm trees on the central reserve close to Oystermouth Road’s junction with West Way.
Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “The new Swansea Arena at the heart of the Copr Bay phase one district will bring world class entertainment to our city, but we also want the overall development to be as green and sustainable as possible.
“The new greenery that’s now taking shape along part of Oystermouth Road will create a more pleasant environment for residents and visitors, while boosting biodiversity and complementing our coastal park and living wall plans for the district.
“This is part of a strategy to introduce far more greenery in Swansea as we strive to become a net zero city by 2050. The Kingsway has already benefitted from more greenery as part of a £12m transformation project and plans are in place for a re-greening of Castle Square.
“Working alongside our partners, more green walls and green roofs will soon be taking hold in the city centre as well, with a temporary pop-up park also being introduced at the former St David’s Shopping Centre site, pending its exciting regeneration in the longer-term.”
Water features and bug hotels will also be included at Copr Bay’s coastal park, which has been designed in a dune-like shape to celebrate its closeness to Swansea beach.
The restaurant building at the coastal park, to be run by The Secret Hospitality Group, will include materials from sustainable sources along with solar panels to minimise its environmental footprint.
Construction of Copr Bay phase one – led by Buckingham Group Contracting Limited – will be complete later this year, with the arena opening its doors in early 2022.
Other features of Copr Bay phase one include new homes, the new bridge over Oystermouth Road, and further spaces for leisure and hospitality businesses.
