Major plans to create much needed, new and affordable housing in Swansea have taken a leap forward.
A planning application, submitted by Swansea Council, has now been approved for the development of 156 affordable homes in the Bonymaen community.
A multidisciplinary team of architects, landscape architects and engineers from BDP, which has a studio in South Wales, is supporting the council in delivering the plans.
The housing scheme is set to be developed in four phases along Brokesby Road, providing a mix of homes ranging from 1-bedroom flats, 2-bedroom bungalows, as well and 3 & 4-bedroom houses.
The Council will be seeking to replicate the sustainable, energy saving qualities already established at other locations across Swansea where new council homes have been created, including sites in Birchgrove, West Cross, Blaenymaes and Clase.
The development will provide enhanced public green spaces, incorporating play areas for children along with active travel routes linking the development with surrounding areas.
Andrea Lewis, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Service Transformation, said:
“This is major step forward in our aims of creating more affordable housing in the city, adding to our existing housing stock.
“We have thousands of people on our waiting lists, some of whom are at risk of being homeless and we are committed to doing all we can to prevent this from happening.
“Previously, we presented some initial concept plans of how the new housing development could look. Residents took part in early consultation which helped shape a detailed masterplan.
“The sites included in the plan were formerly used for housing and the masterplan illustrates how we aim to transform this land into much needed housing along with community facilities, green space and play areas for families that support wellbeing and healthy lifestyles.
“All the homes will be energy efficient and make use of innovative new technologies to keep energy costs low.”
Nick Ellis, associate architect at BDP, who has been working with the council on the proposals, said: “This highly sustainable, low carbon neighbourhood will provide much-needed homes with low running costs for people at all stages of life.
“There is strong emphasis on creating outdoor public spaces and play areas to bring people together and provide the opportunity to connect with nature.
“A series of ‘rain gardens’ alongside other wetland and green areas support wildlife as well as managing rainwater, helping to keep our waterways clean.”
In the last few years, dozens of new council homes have sprung up across the city with the Council embracing new technologies to make the homes some of the most modern in Wales. Many of the properties have been built or supervised by the council’s building services team, helping protect jobs, train apprentices and keep the projects home-grown.
The council has also repurposed existing council-owned buildings, converting them into much needed homes. Works are ongoing at a former education facility known as the Sparks Centre, where four new flats are being created.
Cllr Lewis added: “This is part of a significant investment by the Council – more than £55 million has been pledged towards housing for 2024/25 and we have committed to spending £250 million during the next five years.”
