The company behind plans to create a major new leisure destination on Swansea's Kilvey Hill have reassured those living nearby that access will be retained and improved as part of proposals. Skyline Enterprises said access to the hill would continue as now if the project got the go-ahead, but with some public safety restrictions around certain areas.
It said that as well as the retention of access for groups, walkers, runners and mountain bikers, the project’s proposed cable car and chair lift system would enable more people than ever before to enjoy views from the top of the hill. The proposed cable car system would run to the top of Kilvey Hill from the area of the Hafod Morfa Copperworks.
The main content of the proposal includes Skyline’s own gravity-fuelled downhill carting experience known as the luge, a sky swing, existing and new walking trails, a zipline, additional mountain bike access and food and beverage outlets. The company said no aspect of the proposed scheme would pass over people’s homes, and many opportunities for people to give feedback on the proposals would be made available once scheme designs were advanced. You can get more Swansea news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
READ MORE: The run-down parks and playgrounds in Swansea being transformed
The reassurance comes after some concerns were raised from local communities about the impact of the major development on access to the area, and the routes of things like cable cars and zip lines
Chief executive officer, Geoff McDonald, said: “We have a proud track record of working closely with the local communities at all the sites we operate in across the world to benefit them while also delivering a fun, high-quality visitor experience. That’ll also be the case in Swansea if the project is approved, and we look forward to meeting the local community to present our plans, including maintaining and improving both access and biodiversity at Kilvey Hill.
“We’ll soon be arranging an online meeting with local groups to share where we are at in our planning and take their views on board, building-up to a face-to-face event in March when detailed plans will be made available for discussion and feedback.”
Dates, times and a location for the March event, which will be held over several days, will be announced as soon as they’re confirmed. Further opportunities for public views would also then be available as part of a planning application process, should Skyline decide to take its plans forward. The consultation event would follow-on from a number of studies that will form part of the planning process which include site investigation works, and ecological, arboricultural, heritage and air quality studies aimed at ensuring minimising the impact on greenery and promoting biodiversity, if the scheme gets the go-ahead. You can read more stories about Swansea here.
Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart said: “This is a hugely exciting proposal for Swansea that would, if approved, create a new, world-class visitor destination providing up to 100 new jobs in Swansea. Local businesses would also benefit from work during the project’s construction phase, and existing businesses would benefit from the extra visitors the project would attract to the area, helping further boost our on-going regeneration of the Lower Swansea Valley and River Tawe corridor.
“Our discussions with local user groups have already started, and we’d encourage as many people as possible to take part in the consultation and planning processes being arranged for the early spring and beyond to help shape final plans.”
READ NEXT:
- Kilvey Hill cable cars, luge runs and zipline plan takes step forward with work on site in Swansea
- Deadline for claiming £200 to help pay for energy bills fast approaching
- The hardest primary schools to get a place at in Swansea
- Woman helps win fight to stop 16m high 5G mast being built five metres from her 'forever home'
- Martin Lewis explains why energy prices have not dropped and why they might not for a long time
