Concern after swan deaths at Fendrod Lake amid avian flu fears

The authority said it has already collected a number of dead birds from the site and will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Residents are being urged not to approach or touch any dead swans they may see. Instead, they should report them directly to Defra via the government’s online service: Report dead wild birds.

🐦 How to report bird flu concerns

Do not touch dead birds
Avian flu can spread through contact — always avoid handling carcasses.

Report sightings
Use the official Defra service to report dead swans, geese, or other wild birds: gov.uk/guidance/report-dead-wild-birds.

Stay vigilant
Watch for unusual bird deaths in your area and alert authorities promptly.

Follow council updates
Local councils and Natural Resources Wales provide guidance and issue alerts when risks increase.

Protect domestic flocks
Keep poultry and pet birds away from wild waterfowl and follow biosecurity advice.

A council spokesperson said:

“We have had reports in recent days of a number of deaths of swans at Fendrod Lake, potentially due to avian flu. If you see a dead swan, please don’t approach or touch it. Instead report it to Defra. We have collected a number of dead swans and will continue to monitor the issue.”

The warning comes after recent confirmed cases of bird flu elsewhere in South West Wales. Earlier this month, Carmarthenshire Council confirmed an outbreak in the Pontyberem area, while Pembrokeshire Council officers visited homes near Milford Haven following a separate case.

Natural Resources Wales and local councils continue to advise the public to remain vigilant, avoid contact with sick or dead birds, and follow official guidance to reduce the risk of spreading the disease.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Bird flu confirmed in Pontyberem area
Carmarthenshire Council confirmed an outbreak earlier this month, with restrictions put in place locally.

Council officers visiting homes near Milford Haven
Pembrokeshire Council teams carried out precautionary visits following a confirmed case of avian flu.

#avianFlu #avianInfluenza #birdFlu #birds #deadSwans #defra #enterprisePark #fendrodLake #llansamlet #reportDeadWildBirds #swans #swansea #swanseaCouncil

Public consultation opens on plans for new Swansea Council depot at Enterprise Park

Asbri Planning, acting on behalf of the council, has published detailed plans for the redevelopment of part of the Dr Organic site on Alberto Road in Swansea Enterprise Park. The 28‑day consultation, which runs until 3 October 2025, is a legal requirement for major developments in Wales before a formal planning application can be submitted.

The scheme would see waste and recycling vehicle operations currently based at Pipehouse Wharf on Morfa Road relocated to the Enterprise Park, alongside Environmental Health services from Home Farm. The move would allow the council to vacate both sites — with Pipehouse Wharf already on the market and expected to attract strong developer interest due to its prime riverside location close to the city centre.

According to the Design and Access Statement, the new depot would be purpose‑built to modern standards, with secure parking and maintenance areas for the refuse and recycling fleet, fuelling and wash‑down facilities, staff welfare and office space. The layout is designed to improve efficiency and safety, while allowing part of the site to continue operating for Dr Organic’s manufacturing and distribution.

Council leaders have previously said the relocation will modernise frontline services and release valuable land for redevelopment. The Home Farm move would also free up that site for potential future use, though no firm proposals have yet been brought forward.

Members of the public, local businesses and other stakeholders can view the full plans and supporting documents on Asbri Planning’s consultation page and submit feedback before the 3 October deadline. Once the consultation closes, Asbri Planning will review all responses before lodging a full planning application with Swansea Council.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Council riverside depot expected to generate ‘significant interest’ from potential purchasers
Pipehouse Wharf site on Morfa Road goes on the market ahead of council’s planned move to a new shared depot at Swansea Enterprise Park.

Council announces depot relocation plans
Swansea Council confirms it will vacate Pipehouse Wharf and Home Farm depots, relocating services to a redeveloped site alongside Dr Organic in the Enterprise Park.

#AlbertoCulver #depot #DrOrganic #EnterprisePark #HomeFarm #PipehouseWharf #refuseVehicles #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil

Council announces depot relocation plans

Swansea Council’s Pipehouse wharf depot is located next to the St David’s student accommodation on the junction of New Cut Road and Morfa Road. It is used as a vehicle storage and refuelling depot for its waste and recycling vehicles.

The Home Farm depot is within Singleton Park and is used primarily by the council’s parks and cleansing teams.

The council has announced plans to vacate both depots and relocate to a new facility on Alberto Road in the Enterprise Park.

The Enterprise Park location was formally used by beauty and cosmetics company Alberto-Culver, who pulled out of the 18.75 acre site in 2012 following its take-over by conglomerate Unilever.

The council sold its freehold interest in the Alberto-Culver site in 2015 to the Dr Organic Group, a South Wales-based cosmetics company founded by local entrepreneurs Steve Quinn and Fred Whitcomb.

The council now plans to share the location with Dr Organic following its decision to reacquire the site.

A spokesperson from Swansea Council said: “We have agreed to acquire a site at Alberto Road on the Enterprise Park which will allow not only the relocation out of the current Pipehouse Wharf and Home Farm depots but also enables its ongoing use by Dr Organics, a long standing and important Swansea business.

“No decision has been taken about the future use of Pipehouse Wharf and Home Farm and it will take some time to vacate these sites to ensure services are not disrupted.

“We are talking to staff at these sites to minimise any impact.”

The council has previously mooted plans for redeveloping its Home Farm depot site in Singleton Park, which also includes a Grade II listed farmhouse.

A cabinet report in 2019 said there was an opportunity a heritage-based development at Home Farm, including 42 houses, to safeguard the site – although none of the parkland itself would be touched.

The proposal sparked fierce debate and opposition and was eventually put on hold.

Coastal Housing has previously expressed an interest in the council’s Pipehouse Wharf depot, proposing a development of 150 homes on the 4.33-acre River Tawe site in 2017.

These plans were not progressed however, although nearby regeneration has continued, particularly with the construction of the new True Student student accommodation blocks further along Morfa Road.

#DrOrganic #EnterprisePark #HomeFarm #PipehouseWharf #SingletonPark #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil