03/19/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

Plans approved for flat development near Swansea railway station

A NEW block of flats will be built around 100 metres from Swansea railway station.

The four-storey block will replace a grey-panelled warehouse on Tontine Street, just off High Street.

Swansea Council’s planning committee approved the application, despite concerns from highways officers about an absence of any on-site parking.

The block will comprise 21 flats – mainly one-bedroom, with a small number of two-beds.

The existing warehouse on Tontine Street was described by a planning officer at the committee meeting as “not the most attractive building”.

The officer said the flats, which include balconies and a “green” roof, would provide good quality accommodation and supported the council’s objective of more people living and working in the city centre.

Cllr Peter Black said the scheme was a “massive improvement” on what was there already, but added: “I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect that 21 people would not own a car between them.”

Cllr Richard Lewis, who was the only councillor to vote against the application, said Swansea had 17,000 to 18,000 parking spaces when he was first elected compared to fewer than 3,000 now.

“And it’s going down all the time,” he said.

Cllr Mike Lewis said the committee had recently approved a large student development across High Street, which had very limited parking.

“I’m quite taken with this application and I’ll be voting for it,” he said.

Cllr Black said it had been made clear to councillors that parking for student accommodation was “a totally different kettle of fish”.

A highways officer said Tontine Street, which has a single yellow line, allowed people to park there after 6pm and before 8am Monday to Saturday.

The applicant, Wayne Harris, of Picton Lane, Swansea, must contribute £8,000 to improve the junction of Tontine Street and High Street.

A design and access statement submitted on behalf of Mr Harris said the area was “very run down and in dire need of investment and regeneration”.

It said: “Whilst this part of Swansea was once a vibrant part of the commercial centre with a mixed office/retail/entertainment offer, these uses have migrated away from this part of Swansea, and there are currently a number of vacant commercial units in the area and significant anti-social behaviour.”

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