It was once dingy and gloomy, but now a council estate in Swansea is pastel as far as the eye can see. Soft blues, minty greens, dove greys, peach and vanilla - the sprawling estate either side of Fairwood Road, West Cross, has certainly had a makeover.
More than 300 properties have been done up inside and out, but it is the render which really creates an impression. With Swansea Bay glinting half a mile away on a sunny day, you can almost convince yourself you're in warmer climes.
"They've gone for a pastel shading, and it's a nice look," said 72-year-old resident Paul Lloyd. "It does have a slight Mediterranean feel. It's not Santorini, but few places are. It is a vast improvement on what was here before." You can get more Swansea news and other story updates by subscribing to our newsletters here.
Mr Lloyd, who lives on the corner of Fairwood Road and West Cross Lane, has new roof tiles, guttering and thick render on his three-bedroom council house. Inside, there is a new kitchen, bathroom and extra loft insulation. "You notice the gas consumption is lower," he said. "With prices increasing, it's welcome. And it's cooler in the summer as well."
Mr Lloyd, a former IT and admin worker has lived on the estate for about 40 years. He said: "People move out, people move in - you don't really get to know the newcomers like you used to, but that's one thing about modern life."
A couple of hundred metres up Fairwood Road is Julie Treasure's two-bed flat, which has a new kitchen, bathroom, windows, insulation and soft blue render. She said there had been issues with the windows, and that damp still seemed to appear, but overall she was pleased with her new-look property and the wider estate. "I think it looks really good," she said. "They've done a lovely job with the colours. It was all grey and gloomy. When's the sun's out it's like a seaside town." She added: "My neighbours and I look after each other. "
Zac Williams lives with his mother in a flat in Kenilworth Place. "They've done the outside yellow, and we've got a new kitchen and bathroom," he said. "It took about three months, and the only hassle was not having a shower for three weeks." The 22-year-old said the estate used to be dingy. "It's a lot more pleasing to the eye now," he said. "It has a bit more of a friendlier feel."
Kathryn Vaughan, of Linden Avenue and Jeff Jones, of Cartersford Place, also felt there had been an improvement. "I think it's a lot better than what it was," said Ms Vaughan. "In my house I've got a new kitchen and bathroom, and it's warmer in the winter. It's tidy where we are - lovely to live in."
Colin Woollacott, who lives in a flat in Warwick Place, said his block was all pebble dash and chippings previously. "It looks nicer," he said. "They've covered the damp up. And the grass is regularly cut."
Some properties have composite cladding panels to match the render. More shrubbery would be a bonus, but Rome wasn't built in a day. Litter was noticeable in a few spots, and some people who spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service said the estate had its issues, such as drink and drugs.
Earlier this year, Brandon Miles, 51, of Warwick Place, was convicted in court of possessing cocaine with intent to supply, and sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison. His barrister, Dyfed Thomas, said Miles was a sporadic drug user and was self-medicating following a double leg amputation, and there was an element of exploitation in the case, with other people taking advantage of his addiction.
Estate residents Michael Rodda and Stephen Jones had some mixed views on the area but reckoned generally it was a good spot. It looked a bit like Balamory, they joked, referring to the children's TV programme and its colourful palette. Mr Rodda lives with his children in Kenilworth Place - the flat has a new kitchen and bathroom and minty green render. "It's tidy," said the 41-year-old, who was hoping to sell his prized Renault 5 that day. "They've done a good job. It brightens the place up."
The work on the flats and houses was done by contractors commissioned by Swansea Council, and has taken about four years. Covid has caused some delays. The project was part of a wider scheme to upgrade all of Swansea's 13,600-odd council houses to ensure they complied with guidance called the Welsh housing quality standard. Funding has come from council tenant rent and Welsh Government grants.
A refurbishment of properties in the Boarspit area of upper West Cross is due to start later this year. Asked about the choice of pastel render, a council spokesman said: "The colours chosen were used to create 'street distinction' that makes the area less uniform. There are many streets in nearby Mumbles that have a long tradition of using pastel render colours, which results in them being vibrant and distinct."
West Cross councillor Mark Child said he felt the estate revamp would improve residents' feelings about where they lived. "I really think it's given a huge facelift to the estate," he said. "It was beginning to get a bit drab. And I'm hoping that the cladding will result in lower heating bills."
