People in Swansea are being asked for their views on final plans for the redevelopment of Castle Square in the city centre. The planning application for the ambitious plans was published on Tuesday.
The area was once filled with more greenery than we see today, with lawned areas and flower beds acting as a backdrop to the retail shops in Oxford Street, the bars in Wind Street and other adjoining roads, before this look was overhauled and replaced by the stone square we see today. You can keep up to date with the latest Swansea news by signing up to the local newsletter here.
Now, local residents and businesses are being encouraged to have their say on final plans for the site, after public feedback from earlier rounds of consultation was taken into account when designers created the new look for the location. The proposals to overhaul the area include an increase in the number of trees, an increase in the amount of other greenery, including new lawns, ornamental and biodiverse planting, the addition of two pavilion buildings for food, drink or retail businesses, a new water feature for interactive play, a giant TV screen above a bandstand-style facility, and new outdoor seating areas.
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The planning application’s design document states: “Castle Square is the focal point within the city centre, an important civic place. There’s an opportunity to enhance it, to raise its quality and to make it more active, distinctive and vibrant in line with other investment in the city.
“A modern, functional and well maintained public space needs to be delivered which can accommodate a range of events, temporary arts and cultural experiences. Any new building and enhancements must be of a high quality design, accessible and sustainable, and complementing Swansea’s central area and its heritage.”
Businesses involved in the designs have included those that specialise in areas such as architecture, civil engineering, lighting, landscaping and the natural environment. They include architects ACME, development manager Spider Projects and structural specialists Civic Engineers, while planning consultants Savills have been working on the project on behalf of Swansea Council, which is driving a £1bn regeneration of Swansea. As part of the formal planning process for this development the public can have their say on the planning application consultation until September 5. The council would like as much public feedback as possible.
Friedrich Ludewig, founding director at architects ACME, said: “People have told us just how important it is that there’s green space in the city centre. At Castle Square we are revitalising an important civic space with terraced seating areas, new access routes, a playful water feature and biodiverse planting. Two new pavilions are embedded into the existing landscape with green roofs above.”
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