fbpx

My name is Rhys, a first time dad blogging about my adventures and experiences of being a parent. [email protected]

Plans for 160 new Swansea council homes take a step forward

Plans to create much needed new housing in Swansea are moving forward.

Swansea Council has teamed up with global design practice BDP to develop a masterplan for a new housing development at Brokesby Road in the Bonymaen community.

The long term vision to create new energy efficient homes was initially unveiled earlier in 2023 and the public had a chance to give their views ahead of a masterplan being developed.

The Council will be seeking to replicate the sustainable 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.

The planning process will also look at ensuring local concerns about highways and access to schools are managed appropriately.

Andrea Lewis, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Service Transformation, said: “The Brokesby Road project is part of the council’s ambition to build 1,000 new, affordable homes for rent over a decade.

“Like other social housing providers, we have thousands of people on our waiting lists. If approved, the project will help ease demand, especially from families, for more homes in Swansea.”

She said: “Earlier in the year we presented some initial concept plans of how the new housing development could look. Residents took part in early consultation and since then, a detailed masterplan has been produced.

“These plans are now available for further consultation and residents can give their views ahead of the submission of a planning application later in the summer.

“We’ve identified a number of sites that 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, senior architect at BDP, who has been working with the council on the proposals, said: “The vision for this new proposed neighbourhood of 160 homes is to create a highly sustainable, low carbon model of family living that prioritises the wellbeing of the people who live there and supports social cohesion.

“The proposed people-centered design seeks to create an inviting, accessible and enjoyable place to live, through well-designed public open spaces, play areas and a network of tree-lined streets that connect to the wider community.

“A range of types of homes that are highly energy efficient and cost effective to run will cater for people at all stages of life and support Swansea Council’s drive to eradicate fuel poverty.”

A multi-disciplinary team from BDP, including architects, landscape architects and engineers, is supporting the council in delivering the plans.

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.

New homes at West Cross, have recently been completed with new tenants already occupying them.

Cllr Lewis added: “The new homes at West Cross are another example of our commitment to create new homes in the city, using modern energy saving technologies.”