Public Consultation Set for New Riverside Neighbourhood in Swansea

Plans for a new riverside neighbourhood in St Thomas, Swansea, featuring 124 homes with half designated as affordable, are set to be presented to the public. The development will also include enhanced public spaces and improved access to the River Tawe.

The project covers a seven-acre site on the eastern bank of the river, just north of the river bridges. It is being developed by Urban Splash, Swansea Council’s regeneration partner, in collaboration with housing specialist Lovell and Codi Group, Wales’ largest provider of housing, care, and support.

Local residents are invited to attend two public consultation events to provide input on the proposals: Wednesday 12 August at Y Storfa on Oxford Street from 12.30pm to 6.30pm, and Thursday 13 August at St Thomas Church on Lewis Street from 10.30am to 4.30pm.

The development plans include a combination of houses and apartments, with the majority of affordable homes expected to be managed by Codi Group. The scheme also proposes improved walking and cycling routes, alongside flexible retail or leisure spaces on the ground floor of a gateway apartment building.

Connected open spaces designed to better link the community with the river are a key feature, aiming to create a green and sustainable riverside neighbourhood. A website will be launched in the coming weeks to display the plans and allow for online feedback.

Swansea Council Leader Councillor Rob Stewart said: “Providing more affordable homes is one of our biggest priorities, and these proposals show how we can do that while transforming a long-vacant riverside site into a vibrant new neighbourhood. This is about creating homes local people can afford in a place that reconnects St Thomas with the River Tawe, and I encourage residents to come along to the consultation events or head online to help shape the plans.”

David Warburton of Urban Splash added: “We’re looking forward to sharing these proposals with the community. They set out a vision for a sustainable new neighbourhood that delivers much-needed homes while creating greener public spaces, opening up the riverfront and providing new opportunities for people to live, work and spend time by the River Tawe.”

Anthony Vagges, Regional Managing Director of Lovell, commented: “We’re proud to be working with Urban Splash and Swansea Council to bring forward a scheme that puts people and place first. Creating high-quality homes, including a 50% affordable housing provision, with open green spaces and improved waterfront access, this development will create new opportunities for local families and businesses while respecting the character of St Thomas.”

This initiative follows a recent public consultation for the Civic Centre and forms part of Urban Splash’s broader City Waterfront vision. The wider plan includes ground-floor cafés and bars, beach-sports retail, new apartments, cultural spaces, a state-of-the-art aquarium, and flexible event venues.

The site, previously used as railway sidings, is one of seven key regeneration locations being advanced through the long-term partnership between Swansea Council and Urban Splash under the City on the Beach strategy.