Former Sancta Maria Hospital to be demolished under new plans for 42 affordable flats in Uplands

The proposals come from Beacon Cymru, the housing association formerly known as Coastal Housing, which wants to build 42 affordable homes on the site between Richmond Road and Ffynone Road.

Earlier plans to keep original buildings dropped

The site, which has been empty since the hospital moved to SA1 in 2021, includes two 19th-century villas that were later converted into a nursing home. Earlier design options explored keeping and converting the original buildings, but Beacon Cymru says those plans were dropped due to cost and layout issues.

Instead, the latest scheme would see all existing buildings demolished and replaced with five new blocks. The flats would be a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units, all for affordable rent.

Conservation area, steep site among key challenges

The site sits within the Ffynone & Uplands Conservation Area, and the design team says the new buildings will reflect the area’s character. The blocks are described as “pavilions in a landscape”, with features inspired by the original villas.

The plans also include new landscaping, sustainable drainage, and car parking. The site’s steep slope and proximity to listed buildings have shaped the layout and access points.

Public drop-in event on 16 October

A formal Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) is now open, run by Asbri Planning on behalf of Beacon Cymru. Residents have until 5 November to submit comments.

A public drop-in event will be held at St James Church Hall, Walter Road, Uplands on Wednesday 16 October from 4pm to 7pm. Full plans and consultation details are available on the Asbri Planning website.

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Plans revealed for Cambrian Way Shopping Centre revamp with 27 new town centre apartments

Asbri Planning, acting for the Draycott Group, has launched a statutory pre‑application consultation on plans to alter and extend the existing building on John Street. The scheme would see parts of the rooftop demolished and the upper floors reconfigured to create 27 apartments — a mix of 23 one‑bedroom, one two‑bedroom (three‑person) and three two‑bedroom (four‑person) homes — spread across the first, second and third floors.

The ground floor shopping arcade and retail units would be retained, with shopfront improvements along John Street and St Catherine’s Walk. The upper‑floor homes would be served by dedicated entrances, cycle storage and roof terraces, with no on‑site parking for residents.

Contemporary design in a heritage setting

The Design and Access Statement says the new homes would be built above the existing retail structure, stepping back at higher levels to reduce the visual impact and create outdoor terrace space. Materials such as slate, off‑white render and grey standing‑seam metal cladding are proposed to complement the neighbouring Capitol cinema and nearby conservation area, while giving the building a distinct, modern identity.

The plans also aim to improve natural surveillance and footfall in this part of the town centre, with balconies and windows overlooking surrounding streets and the service yard.

Public consultation open until 3 October

Under Welsh planning rules, major developments must go through a 28‑day public consultation before a formal application is submitted. Residents, businesses and other stakeholders can view the full plans and supporting documents on Asbri Planning’s consultation page and submit feedback by email or post before 3 October 2025.

Part of wider regeneration push

The Cambrian Way site has long been identified as a priority for regeneration. If approved, the redevelopment would join a growing number of mixed‑use projects in Welsh town centres aimed at tackling vacant retail space, meeting housing demand and boosting footfall for local traders.

Once the consultation closes, Asbri Planning will review all responses before finalising the application for submission to Carmarthenshire County Council.

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Plans for expanded care home in Skewen spark public consultation

A proposal to redevelop and extend Cefn Lodge Nursing Home in Skewen has entered the public consultation phase, with plans for a new 50-bed care home now open for comment.

The scheme, brought forward by Oxford Care Holdings, would see the existing building at 16 Cefn Parc extended to include a purpose-built, three-storey facility designed to meet modern standards of residential and dementia care. The extended home would offer en-suite bedrooms, communal lounges, landscaped gardens and improved access for staff and visitors.

The current Cefn Lodge has operated from the site since the 1980s and accommodates up to 35 residents. According to the developer’s Design and Access Statement, the new building would increase capacity and provide a more energy-efficient, accessible environment tailored to the needs of older people and those with complex conditions.

The proposal is now subject to a statutory pre-application consultation, a legal requirement for major developments in Wales. This process allows members of the public to review draft plans and submit feedback before a formal planning application is submitted to Neath Port Talbot Council.

Planning consultants Asbri Planning are managing the consultation, which runs until 25 August 2025. Residents can view the plans and submit comments via the consultation portal.

Once the consultation closes, the developer will consider public feedback before submitting a formal planning application to the council. A decision will then be made by local planners, taking into account the views expressed during the consultation period.

If approved, the new Cefn Lodge would represent a significant investment in local care provision — expanding capacity and replacing ageing infrastructure with a modern, purpose-built facility.

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