Controversial plans for a residential centre for women who have committed low level offences have been turned down by Swansea's planning committee. Councillors voted by 11 to one against a recommendation by planning officers to approve the scheme for the Trehafod building, within the grounds of the Cefn Coed Coed Hospital site in Cockett.
But the committee decided to defer coming forward with refusal reasons, as it needs to do, to allow planning officers to take advice, including from legal officers.
The Ministry of Justice's (MoJ) application was to add a two-storey extension to Trehafod, off Waunarlwydd Road, and change the building's use from health clinic to residential women's centre. The MoJ said 12 women from the Swansea area would stay at the centre for 12 weeks at a time, where they would address the causes of their offending and be encouraged to take part in things like exercise classes, cooking and gardening. The centre would be staffed 24/7 by the Prison and Probation Service, and would also provide day services for other women.
