7,000 homes promised, just 300 built: Swansea’s housing blueprint falters

What this feature covers

• The 7,000 homes promised in Swansea’s Local Development Plan – and why fewer than 300 have been built
• A site‑by‑site look at the Strategic Development Areas: from Penllergaer to St Thomas
• The obstacles – from Covid and costs to nutrient neutrality rules
• The impact on families, communities and local services
• How the next Local Development Plan (LDP2) could reshape Swansea’s growth to 2038

When Swansea councillors adopted the Local Development Plan (LDP) in 2019, it was meant to be a clear guide for growth. Instead of scattered estates, the council wanted builders to focus on a dozen large “Strategic Development Areas” (SDAs) — planned new neighbourhoods with schools, shops, roads and green space. The promise was bold: more than 7,000 homes within five years. Six years later, the council’s own Annual Monitoring Report shows fewer than 300 have been built.

At the latest planning committee, Cllr Peter Black voiced frustration:

“It does seem as if the plan is aiming to be a planned economy without actually any control over the economy. We’re saying how many houses we want built without having any control over that.”

Responding, Tom Evans, the council’s Placemaking and Strategic Planning Manager, acknowledged the difficulties, stressing that Swansea is not alone:

“Deliverability of residential sites has been one of the biggest difficulties we’ve experienced — and it’s not limited to Swansea, it’s a national issue.”

The Strategic Development Sites

Parc Mawr, Penllergaer (planned: 644 homes | delivered: 119)

Bellway Homes is building here, and aerial photos show rows of new houses already occupied. But Parc Mawr has been one of the most controversial sites. A vocal campaign group, Preserve Penllergaer, fought the allocation from the start, warning that the promised primary school and relief road might never materialise. Penllergaer Community Council has echoed those concerns, arguing the development risks overwhelming local services. The late Cllr Wendy Fitzgerald was a prominent critic, warning in 2020 that the scheme would “change the character of the village forever.”

Garden Village, Gorseinon (planned: 700 homes | delivered: 24)

Garden Village has history: it was first conceived as a model community in the early 20th century, but World War I halted progress. A century later, Persimmon was tasked with reviving the idea. Yet only 24 homes have been built so far. The site has been dogged by concerns over ancient woodland, which led to a public inquiry, and by scepticism that the “garden village” branding masks a conventional estate. For now, the grand vision remains largely on paper.

Pontarddulais (planned in the LDP: 486 homes | delivered: 0)

On paper, Pontarddulais was supposed to take around 486 homes under the Local Development Plan. In reality, the schemes now on the table go well beyond that figure — and the town has become one of the fiercest battlegrounds in Swansea’s housing debate.

Persimmon’s zero‑carbon neighbourhood

The biggest proposal is from Persimmon Homes, which has branded its 280‑acre scheme south of Glanffrwd Road as a “zero‑carbon ready” neighbourhood. The plans, lodged in 2024, set out 516 homes powered by air‑source heat pumps and solar panels, with no gas connections at all. Persimmon promise a new primary school, a community hall, parks, play areas and sports pitches, alongside contributions for a 3G pitch at Pontarddulais Comprehensive and upgrades to local bus services.

Supporters say it would bring jobs and give young families a chance to stay in the town. But opponents point to the same pinch‑points that have dogged every major application here: traffic through St Teilo Street, the Station Road/Water Street junction, and the pressure on schools and GPs. Councillors resolved to approve the scheme in March 2025 “despite traffic and infrastructure concerns,” but as of this autumn, the fields remain untouched.

Walters’ aluminium site and the spine road row

A second scheme is also moving forward on the former aluminium factory site off Station Road, promoted by Walters Land Ltd. Outline consent has been granted for up to 150 homes, part of a wider tract of land that could eventually deliver as many as 720. The plan has been mired in rows over the so‑called “spine street” — a relief road meant to take traffic away from Water Street. The original LDP envisaged a western route parallel to the railway, but flood risk has forced Walters to propose a new alignment via High Street and Woodville Street. Residents fear it will funnel HGVs and commuter traffic through residential streets.

Even councillors have voiced unease. Cllr Phil Downing warned at committee: “It’s either going to be a functional road, or it’s not – in which case what are we doing?” Despite those misgivings, the outline plans were approved, with just 10% affordable housing promised because of abnormal remediation costs. Walters intend to clean up the site and then sell it on to a housebuilder for detailed consent.

For now, Pontarddulais remains in limbo: two major schemes approved in principle, more homes than the LDP ever envisaged, but not a single brick laid. To campaigners, it’s proof the town is being asked to take too much. To developers, it’s a chance to deliver “sustainable, future‑proof” neighbourhoods. To residents, it’s years of uncertainty with no clear end in sight.

Both major schemes also fall within the nutrient neutrality catchment, meaning even with outline approvals, progress could be delayed until developers can prove their plans will not add to pollution in the Burry Inlet.

Morriston, Clasemont Road (planned: 490–600 homes | delivered: 0)

The land north of Clasemont Road, known as Pantlasau Farm, was one of the flagship allocations in the Local Development Plan. A detailed “Design Code” was drawn up in 2017 by consultants Mitchell Eley Gould on behalf of the Morris Estate Trustees, setting out a vision for up to 600 homes.

The plans imagined a high‑density, walkable neighbourhood inspired by the original 18th‑century Morriston grid. Key features included:

• A new primary school and playing fields.
• A local centre with shops, community space and a small commercial hub.
• A network of green corridors and a nature reserve to buffer the site from the M4.
• A mix of houses and flats, with higher densities around the centre and lower densities at the edges.
• Play areas and sports facilities (one multi‑use games area, three larger play areas and nine smaller ones).
• A street layout designed as “shared spaces” to slow traffic and prioritise walking and cycling.

The 26‑hectare site was to be built in phases over a decade, starting with around 100 homes and a small commercial space, before expanding to include the school and community hub.

A masterplan on paper

Yet despite the detailed framework, no homes have been built. The allocation remains on paper, a reminder that even with masterplans and design codes, delivery depends on developer appetite, infrastructure funding and market conditions.

Llangyfelach, M4 Junction 46 (planned: 565 homes in the LDP | live proposals: up to 1,950 | delivered: 0)

From 565 to 1,950 homes

At the northern edge of Swansea, just off Junction 46 of the M4, lies one of the most ambitious housing sites in the Local Development Plan. Known as Pentref Rhostir, the 280‑acre tract of farmland was originally allocated for 565 homes. Since then, developer Llanmoor Homes has secured outline consent for a far larger scheme: a new community of up to 1,950 homes to be built over 15–20 years, with around 15% affordable.

The masterplan promises more than just housing. It includes:

• A new primary school.
• A local centre with shops, food outlets, medical and community facilities.
• A 1.4km link road designed to ease congestion on Llangyfelach Road.
• Around 100 acres of public open space, with sports pitches, play areas and landscaped green corridors.
• Contributions to active travel routes, ecology improvements, and an on‑site demand‑responsive bus service.

Outline consent, no spades in the ground

The first phase was expected to deliver 472 homes, with Llanmoor previously aiming to start infrastructure works in spring 2025 and open a sales centre by autumn. But as of autumn 2025, the fields remain untouched. Despite outline consent and glossy brochures, not a single home has yet been built.

For supporters, Pentref Rhostir is a chance to deliver the scale of housing Swansea desperately needs, in a location with space to grow. For critics, it is a symbol of the gap between the city’s housing promises and the reality on the ground — a flagship allocation still waiting to break ground.

Despite outline consent, the site lies within the affected catchment, so condition discharge and detailed applications may now face additional scrutiny under the new nutrient rules.

Penderi Regeneration

Penderi — the collective name for the communities of Blaenymaes, Portmead, Penplas and Cadle — is not a strategic LDP housing allocation but a neighbourhood regeneration programme. The area is dominated by social housing, with thousands of homes owned by Pobl and Swansea Council, and has long faced challenges of poor connectivity, deprivation and ageing housing stock.

Since the LDP was adopted, the most significant investment here has been in retrofitting existing homes rather than large‑scale new construction. The flagship Penderi Energy Project, led by Pobl in partnership with Sero, is one of the UK’s largest residential retrofit schemes. It is upgrading 644 social homes with solar panels, battery storage and other energy‑efficient technologies, aiming to cut bills and carbon emissions.

There has also been some new council housing: Swansea Council has completed 36 homes off Colliers Way in Blaenymaes — 18 built to ultra‑efficient Passive House standards and 18 to the council’s own “Swansea Standard,” which performs 25% better than building regulations.

The 2022 regeneration prospectus, prepared with The Urbanists, sets out a 15‑year vision for a 92‑hectare area. It proposes:

• Transforming The Ravine and other green corridors, with 27ha of landscape improvements overall.
• Upgrading 14ha of sports fields at Penlan Fields.
• Testing layouts for 384 new dwellings, potentially adding around 921 residents.
• Raising tree canopy cover from 7.5% to 50% within 15 years, through new street trees, fruit trees in gardens and extensive planting.

The ambition is to turn Penderi from a low‑density, service‑poor estate into a greener, healthier, better‑connected neighbourhood. Progress so far has been modest — a retrofit programme and a handful of new council homes — but the groundwork has been laid for a much larger transformation if the masterplan is realised.

Cefn Coed Hospital, Tycoch (planned: 371 homes | delivered: 73 pre‑LDP, 0 since)

The sprawling Cefn Coed Hospital site was originally earmarked for around 350–370 homes once services moved out. An early phase on the edge of the site, built by Bellway Homes off Lon Masarn, delivered 73 houses before the Local Development Plan was adopted.

But the wider redevelopment has stalled — and the scale of housing is now set to shrink. In 2023 Swansea Bay University Health Board confirmed that part of the land will be retained for a new adult acute mental health unit, with space for parking and possible future expansion. That means the number of homes likely to be built has fallen to around 170, almost half the original figure.

The health board has also acquired and plans to demolish an old Welsh Ambulance Service building on the site to make way for the new unit, subject to planning approval. Officials said the change reflects the need to modernise NHS facilities while managing a £100m+ maintenance backlog across the estate.

At the same time, the board has identified surplus land, including parts of Cefn Coed, as potential “candidate sites” for housing in Swansea Council’s next Local Development Plan (LDP2). That means some areas could still be released for development, but the final balance between health facilities and housing will only be confirmed in the new plan.

Waunarlwydd / Fforestfach (planned in the LDP: 716 homes | delivered: 0)

This corner of Swansea was earmarked in the Local Development Plan for major growth, with around 716 homes expected. In practice, the proposals now emerging are even bigger.

Persimmon’s ribbon of development

Persimmon’s outline for a 600‑home estate has already stirred fears of a “continuous ribbon” of development stretching from Penllergaer to Gowerton. Campaigners warn it would erode the green gaps between communities and overload the A484 corridor.

Barratt’s Keepers Lodge vision

And in late 2024, Barratt Homes began consulting on a second scheme at Keepers Lodge Farm, off Titanium Road. Their boards, shown at a pre‑application consultation in November 2024, set out a vision for around 400 homes, a new primary school, and a “community heart” with shops, commercial space and community facilities.

The boards also noted that the wider site is allocated in the LDP for mixed‑use development of approximately 1,319 homes — far more than the 716 figure usually quoted. Barratt’s “Keepers Lodge” would be the first phase of that larger allocation.

For now, though, the fields remain untouched. No formal planning application has yet been lodged, and residents are bracing for another round of arguments over traffic, schools and the loss of green space.

Gowerton, Fairwood Terrace (planned in the LDP: 664 homes | delivered: 0)

A strategic site with zero delivery

This site has become a symbol of the contradictions at the heart of Swansea’s Local Development Plan. On paper, the land at the end of Fairwood Terrace was earmarked for hundreds of homes. But when the first major application came forward — a joint bid by Persimmon Homes West Wales and Urban Style Land Ltd — councillors turned it down, despite their own officers recommending approval.

The outline application, lodged in 2024, sought permission for up to 216 homes alongside some mixed‑use commercial space. The plans promised a blend of flats and houses from one to four bedrooms, with just over 10% affordable housing, plus new pedestrian crossings, an upgraded signal‑controlled junction at Fairwood Terrace and Victoria Road, and even a potential park‑and‑ride hub to serve Gowerton railway station.

Residents were unconvinced. A Facebook campaign group, “Save Gowerton From Gridlock,” mobilised hundreds of objections, warning that the extra traffic would overwhelm the already congested Fairwood Terrace/Victoria Road junction, where a low railway bridge and rugby club access already create bottlenecks. Others raised concerns about the loss of mature trees and green space, and about pressure on local schools and GP surgeries.

In September 2024, the planning committee narrowly voted to refuse the scheme, citing congestion and amenity impacts. Officers warned the refusal reasons were weak and would be hard to defend at appeal, but councillors stood firm.

The twist came in 2025, when the case went to appeal before Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW). Gowerton ward councillors Susan Jones and Dai Jenkins, who had opposed the scheme, initially agreed to defend the refusal. But they later stepped back, saying they wanted to represent their constituents’ views more freely outside the formal constraints of the planning process. Into the breach stepped Cllr Peter Black, who has taken on the role of defending the council’s decision at the hearing, supported by planning officers.

The developers, meanwhile, are pressing hard. Persimmon and Urban Style Land argue the scheme fits the Local Development Plan and meets pressing housing needs. They have even lodged a claim for costs, insisting there is an “overwhelming case” for approval. Nearly 600 local submissions have been made to PEDW, underlining the depth of feeling in the community.

For campaigners, the refusal was a victory for common sense. For developers, it is a test case of whether Swansea can deliver the homes its own plan says are needed. For the council, it has become an awkward standoff: a strategic allocation with zero delivery, a developer determined to push ahead, and a community that feels it has already reached breaking point.

The Fairwood Terrace appeal has already been postponed while Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) seeks further evidence on nutrient impacts — underlining how the new rules are already slowing decisions.

⚖️ Gowerton at Appeal

The Fairwood Terrace site (216 homes, part of the Gowerton allocation) was refused by Swansea’s planning committee in 2024 on traffic grounds, despite officers recommending approval.

Planning officers warned the refusal reasons were “not particularly strong” and may be hard to defend at appeal.

After ward members stepped back, Cllr Peter Black was nominated to defend the decision at a Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) hearing.

Developers Persimmon Homes and Urban Style Land argue the scheme complies with the LDP and would provide “much‑needed housing.”

Nearly 600 local submissions have been made to PEDW, alongside petitions and objections citing congestion and safety concerns.

The appeal has since been postponed while inspectors seek further evidence on nutrient impacts, showing how the new nutrient neutrality rules are already affecting live cases.

Central Area / Waterfront (planned: 856 homes | delivered: 128 so far, with more underway)

The Central Area / Waterfront SDA covers Swansea city centre and the SA1 Waterfront. It was earmarked in the Local Development Plan for 856 homes, alongside new commercial and leisure space. Since adoption in 2019, only 128 homes have been completed, but several major schemes are now underway that could lift delivery closer to target.

City centre regeneration

City centre regeneration has been the most visible. The Copr Bay Arena and bridge opened in 2022 as Phase One of the Swansea Central project. Phase Two is now progressing, with the former St David’s Shopping Centre site earmarked for a new office and learning campus. The council’s flagship 71/72 The Kingsway office scheme is complete, providing space for around 600 jobs in the tech and digital sectors. Alongside this, upper floors of vacant commercial buildings on The Kingsway and High Street are being converted into apartments to bring more residents into the core.

The Civic Centre prize

The Civic Centre site on the seafront is the next big prize. Urban Splash unveiled a “sketchbook vision” in December 2024 to transform the 23‑acre site with 500–600 homes, ground‑floor cafes and bars, a hotel, and even a two‑storey aquarium. The scheme will only move forward once council services relocate to Y Storfa, a new public sector hub in the former BHS store on Oxford Street. Y Storfa is due to open in late 2025, housing the central library, West Glamorgan Archive Service, and a range of council and partner services.

SA1 Waterfront schemes

SA1 Waterfront remains a key housing location. Pobl’s Sidings development added new apartments soon after the LDP was adopted, and further schemes are now in train. Construction began in early 2025 on 43 affordable homes on Langdon Road, due for completion in 2027. In late 2024, Beacon Cymru (formerly Coastal Housing) started work on 104 social rent apartments with ground‑floor commercial space on Kings Road. In May 2025, the Welsh Government agreed to sell two further SA1 plots (D5B and D9B) to Pobl and Beacon Cymru for 69 more social homes.

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David is also expanding its footprint in SA1. Its Innovation Matrix — a facility to connect business and academia — launched in 2025, with further research and collaboration projects under discussion.

Taken together, these projects show the Central Area / Waterfront is finally beginning to deliver on its promise of a denser, more vibrant urban core. But while the commercial and cultural elements have advanced quickly, the housing element is still catching up. Council officers say the area remains a priority for affordable and mixed‑use growth, with brownfield redevelopment and conversions central to the strategy.

Fabian Way Corridor (planned: 525 homes | delivered: 60)

Marketed in the Local Development Plan as Swansea’s “Innovation Corridor,” Fabian Way was supposed to deliver hundreds of homes alongside jobs, research facilities and new commercial space. To date, just 60 homes have been built, leaving the residential element far short of the 525 promised.

Instead, most of the activity has been around infrastructure and employment. Swansea University’s Bay Campus is now firmly established, Amazon’s distribution centre dominates the eastern end, and SA1 continues to grow with new university and residential blocks. But the corridor’s housing allocations remain largely untouched.

Transport first, housing later

Two linked transport schemes are now at the heart of the strategy. The Baldwin’s Bridge replacement would see the existing bridge over Baldwin’s Crescent rebuilt or upgraded, while a new Langdon Road connection would create a spine road through SA1, parallel to Fabian Way. Together, they are designed to ease congestion, improve access to the city centre, and provide safer walking and cycling routes for students and commuters. Swansea Council has already approved land acquisition south of Fabian Way at the docks, and Welsh Government funding is in place for feasibility and design. The project is listed as a priority in the regional transport plan.

Crucially, this is a joint scheme between Swansea Council and Neath Port Talbot Council, because the county boundary runs directly through the middle of the development zone — just west of the Bay Campus. That split jurisdiction has long complicated delivery, but both councils are now working together to unlock the corridor’s potential.

Another missing piece is the long‑promised Southern Access Road to Coed Darcy. Planned for more than a decade, it was intended to link the 4,000‑home “urban village” on the former BP refinery site directly to Fabian Way, relieving pressure on Jersey Marine and providing a dedicated public transport corridor. Sometimes referred to as “Ffordd Amazon Stage 2,” the road was identified in the 2010 Fabian Way Transport Assessment as essential early infrastructure. Yet only a short stub was ever built, ending abruptly. The full link has been repeatedly delayed by the slow pace of Coed Darcy itself and the engineering challenge of crossing the protected Crymlyn Bog. Neath Port Talbot Council now acknowledges the scheme “has not been developed,” and its future depends on whether the re‑scaled Coed Darcy plans finally move forward.

Other works are also reshaping the area. Neath Port Talbot Council has begun major drainage improvements on Fabian Way to tackle persistent flooding, supported by the Welsh Government’s Resilient Roads Fund. Plans are advancing to expand the Fabian Way park‑and‑ride into a “green transport hub”, potentially with hydrogen production and large‑scale EV charging. And within SA1 itself, new planning applications for apartments on Langdon Road show that piecemeal residential growth is still happening.

For now, though, the vision of a thriving mixed‑use corridor remains incomplete. The infrastructure projects may unlock development sites and improve connectivity, but the housing allocations are still waiting to be realised — a decade after they were first promised.

Tawe Riverside / St Thomas (planned: 258 homes | delivered: 0)

On the east bank of the River Tawe, the St Thomas allocation was supposed to deliver 258 homes as part of a wider riverside regeneration. To date, not a single dwelling has been built. Instead, the area has become the focus of a broader transformation effort, backed by UK Government Levelling Up funding and a new masterplan led by Urban Splash.

Urban Splash and Lovell’s riverside vision

The St Thomas Riverside site, once home to a railway station and later left as a green corridor, is now the subject of detailed proposals by Urban Splash and Lovell. Their Stage 1 Project Plan sets out around 158 new homes, half of them affordable, alongside a riverside promenade, a new public square, and flexible commercial units. Stirling Prize‑winning architects AHMM are part of the design team, with plans for riverside townhouses, a six‑storey “marker” building, and a central garden street. The scheme promises to reconnect St Thomas with the river for the first time in 150 years, with potential for a new pedestrian and cycle bridge to the city centre.

Levelling Up heritage projects

At the same time, the Tawe Riverside Corridor Action Plan highlights the area’s role as a heritage destination. A £28m Levelling Up programme is funding restoration of the Hafod Morfa Copperworks, new pontoons on the river, and upgrades to Swansea Museum. Together, these projects aim to create jobs, attract visitors, and complete missing links in the riverside walkway and cycle network.

Council depot site in play

The council’s own landholdings are also in play. Swansea Council has confirmed plans to vacate its long‑standing Pipehouse Wharf depot, relocating operations to a new facility at the Enterprise Park. The riverside depot, currently used for waste and recycling vehicles, sits next to the St David’s student accommodation on Morfa Road. Officials say the site is expected to generate “significant interest” from potential purchasers once it is released, adding to the pool of land available for regeneration along the Tawe corridor. Coastal Housing previously explored a 150‑home scheme here, though those plans did not progress. With the depot now earmarked for disposal, the site is once again likely to attract developers as part of the city’s wider riverside transformation.

For residents, the promise is of a greener, better‑connected neighbourhood, with new homes, public spaces and heritage attractions. But as with so many of Swansea’s strategic sites, the vision remains on paper. Delivery will depend on overcoming viability challenges, securing infrastructure funding, and navigating new environmental rules such as nutrient neutrality.

📊 Strategic Sites at a Glance

Parc Mawr, Penllergaer
644 planned | 119 built

Garden Village, Gorseinon
700 planned | 24 built

Pontarddulais
486 planned | 0 built

Morriston, Clasemont Road
490–600 planned | 0 built

Cefn Coed Hospital, Tycoch
371 planned | 73 built (before the LDP, none since)

Waunarlwydd / Fforestfach
716 planned | 0 built

Gowerton, Fairwood Terrace
664 planned | 0 built

Llangyfelach, M4 J46
565 planned (LDP allocation) | 0 built

Central Area / Waterfront
856 planned | 128 built

Fabian Way Corridor
525 planned | 60 built

Tawe Riverside / St Thomas
258 planned | 0 built

Total promised: 6,575–6,685 | Total delivered: fewer than 300

Why Swansea’s big sites stalled

The council points to Covid shutdowns, labour shortages, rising material costs, and new rules on drainage and biodiversity. Developers say large, infrastructure‑heavy sites are harder to make viable quickly. Campaigners argue the allocations were unrealistic, too big, or in the wrong places. And Swansea is not alone: Cardiff, Newport, Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot have all reported housing shortfalls.

Evans told councillors the next plan will need to be more selective:

“All of those sites that are identified, whether for housing or employment, are being reviewed as part of the new plan. What we need to do is make sure we’re identifying the most sustainable and deliverable, most appropriate sites for the next 10 to 15 years.”

On top of these challenges, a new environmental constraint has emerged — one that could stall Swansea’s housing pipeline even further.

Environmental rules put housing targets at risk

New nutrient neutrality rules could delay major housing projects across Swansea for months, threatening the city’s ability to meet its housing targets.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has ruled that the Burry Inlet and Carmarthen Bay Estuary Special Area of Conservation is in an “unfavourable condition” due to excess nutrients. That means every new development in the catchment must now prove it will not add to pollution levels.

Ian Davies, the council’s development manager, told the planning committee:

“We have to be sure that the development is not adding to the nutrients that are entering the water course and therefore impacting adversely on water quality.”

He warned that while small schemes such as household extensions can be “screened out”, larger housing projects — from single dwellings to 500‑home estates — will be on hold unless developers can demonstrate nutrient neutrality.

“Some of the larger applications… are going to be on hold. My feeling is that’s likely to be months rather than weeks in resolving this, even longer potentially.”

The change affects some of Swansea’s biggest growth areas, including the Loughor Estuary and north‑west Swansea, where thousands of homes are allocated in the Local Development Plan.

Cllr Peter Black told the committee:

“This area is one of the biggest areas of new house building growth in Swansea… those bigger applications are going to be massively hit by this.”

Knock‑on effects for viability

Developers will be expected to fund mitigation measures, such as reed beds or land set aside for nutrient offsetting, secured for the lifetime of the development. Officers warned this could reduce the scope for Section 106 contributions, meaning fewer affordable homes or lower investment in schools and community facilities.

“You may see reports recommending approval but not at the sort of levels of policy requirements in terms of section 106 contributions,” Davies said.

Regional challenge, national task force

The rules apply equally to council‑led housing schemes, not just private developers. Swansea is now working with Welsh Government, NRW and neighbouring authorities through a new task force to find long‑term solutions.

Tom Evans, the council’s placemaking and strategic planning manager, stressed that Swansea is not being passive:

“We have a seat around the table at the Welsh Government task force… we are very closely involved in trying to find the solutions.”

Officials stressed the requirement is a matter of law under the Habitats Regulations, not optional guidance, and will shape how housing sites are brought forward in the next Local Development Plan.

What it means for people here

For families, it means fewer affordable homes and more bidding wars. For young people, it means being priced out or pushed further afield. For communities, it means the schools, GP surgeries and roads that were supposed to come with the big sites haven’t materialised, leaving existing services under strain. Instead, most of Swansea’s new homes are coming from smaller “windfall” sites like Cwmrhydyceirw Quarry and Hendrefoilan. They’ve delivered hundreds of homes, but without the infrastructure the SDAs were supposed to guarantee.

The road to LDP2

The council is now preparing a new Local Development Plan, known as LDP2, which will run to 2038. Officials say the lessons of the past five years will feed into it: why the strategic sites stalled, how to make development viable, and how to ensure infrastructure arrives alongside homes.

Evans added that continuing to monitor delivery will be important:

“Producing another monitoring report would help us see whether or not delivery has been significantly affected by these new constraints.”

The draft “Preferred Strategy” for LDP2 doesn’t re‑list the stalled strategic sites by name. Instead, all existing allocations are being reviewed — some may be carried forward, others dropped, and new ones added. More than a thousand “candidate sites” have been submitted by landowners and developers, but inclusion on the register doesn’t guarantee allocation. Only those judged sustainable and deliverable will make it into the next plan.

For campaigners in Penllergaer, Pontarddulais and Gowerton, it’s a chance to argue again that their communities cannot absorb the scale of development proposed. For those struggling to find a home, it’s a reminder that Swansea’s housing crisis is far from solved. The next plan will shape where the city grows for the next decade. The question is whether it can succeed where the last one has so clearly stumbled.

Officials have confirmed that nutrient neutrality will be a core test for candidate sites, with only those able to demonstrate mitigation likely to survive into the final plan.

🗂️ What is LDP2?

The new plan:
Swansea is replacing its current Local Development Plan with a new version, known as LDP2, which will run to 2038.

Preferred Strategy:
Published in late 2024, it sets the vision, growth level and broad approach for where new homes and jobs should go.

Candidate sites:
More than 1,000 pieces of land have been put forward by landowners and developers. These are not allocations — they are being assessed for suitability and deliverability.

Strategic sites under review:
The big sites from the current plan are being reassessed. Some may be carried forward, others dropped, and new ones added.

Timeline:
A detailed “Deposit Plan” with confirmed sites is due in 2026. Adoption of LDP2 is expected around 2027/28.

Environmental constraints such as nutrient neutrality will be central to which sites are judged “deliverable” in the new plan.

#AffordableHousing #BarrattHomes #BayCampus #Bellway #Blaenymaes #BurryInlet #Cadle #CefnCoedHospital #ClasemontRoad #CllrPeterBlack #CoedDarcy #construction #FabianWay #FairwoodTerrace #featured #Fforestfach #GardenVillage #Gorseinon #Gowerton #homepage #housingBlueprint #housingCrisis #KeepersLodgeFarm #LDP #LDP2 #Llangyfelach #LlanmoorHomes #LocalDevelopmentPlan #M4Junction46 #Morriston #newHomes #nutrientNeutrality #PantlasauFarm #ParcMawr #PenderiRegeneration #Penllergaer #Penplas #PentrefRhostir #PersimmonHomes #planning #Pontarddulais #Portmead #SA1 #StThomas #StrategicDevelopmentAreas #SwanseaCityCentre #SwanseaCouncil #SwanseaHousing #TaweRiverside #Tycoch #Waterfront #Waunarlwydd

Nine Swansea vape shops shut down in major crackdown on illegal sales

Three‑day operation across the city

The closures followed a three‑day enforcement operation led by Swansea Council’s Trading Standards team, supported by South Wales Police, HMRC, Home Office Immigration officers and specialist tobacco sniffer dogs.

Codenamed Operation Ceecee & Marvel, the crackdown targeted 14 shops across the city where earlier test purchases had already confirmed the sale of illicit products.

By the end of the week, nine premises had been shut down, 11 people arrested, and five vehicles linked to the trade seized.

Raids reveal hidden stashes

Among the shops raided was Bob Marley Vapes on St Helen’s Road, whose registered owner was jailed earlier this year for dealing in £100,000 worth of black‑market cigarettes and vapes. Despite that, the store had continued trading.

When officers returned last week, they found rucksacks and bags stuffed with illegal disposable vapes hidden in back rooms. Other shops were found to be using “stash cars” to store contraband, with one vehicle also containing cannabis products.

Shops closed during the operation included:

• Bob Marley Vapes, Asia Vapes and Kubus Vapes (St Helen’s Road)
• World of Vapes (Pontarddulais)
• Crystal Vapes (Gorseinon)
• Morriston Mini Market and Monsoon Vapes (Morriston)
• Snoop Vapes and Bob CBD Vapes (city centre)

Thousands of products seized

In total, officers confiscated:

• 971 packs of cigarettes (counterfeit value £4,855; retail value £15,000)
• 970 packets of hand‑rolling tobacco (counterfeit value £19,500; retail value £39,000)
• 2,292 vapes (estimated value £23,000)

All seized products will now be destroyed. Two of the shops have already been ordered by magistrates to remain closed for up to three months, with further hearings due next week.

Council: “Strong message to businesses”

Councillor Andrew Williams, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services (Performance), said:

“Our Trading Standards Team has made this issue a priority and has been able to gather large amounts of intelligence in terms of which shops in the city have previously been selling illegal goods to consumers, including children.

The latest operation has been very successful in our efforts to disrupt this type of trade and hopefully it will send out a very strong message to other businesses in the city — that they have a duty to ensure they are trading legally and not putting consumers at risk.”

Police: “Dangerous and linked to organised crime”

Inspector Andrew Hedley of South Wales Police added:

“Counterfeit tobacco and vapes are not only illegal, but they are incredibly dangerous for those who use them. Counterfeit cigarettes are unregulated, dangerous and fund serious organised crime. The vapes seized do not comply with UK safety standards and can pose a risk to consumers’ health.

These businesses were all given warnings to stop selling these items but disregarded them. They will now face prosecution for various offences as a result.”

Community impact

The raids drew crowds on St Helen’s Road, where locals watched as officers carried out searches and seized goods. For residents, the operation was a visible sign of action against a black market that has been openly trading in parts of the city.

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• More than 5,000 illegal vapes seized from Swansea shops in Trading Standards raid
• London vape boss ordered to repay £325k after Swansea Trading Standards bust

#BobCBDVapes #BobMarleyVapes #CllrAndrewWilliams #counterfeitCigarettes #counterfeitTobacco #Gorseinon #illegalVapes #KubusVapes #Morriston #MorristonMiniMarket #Pontarddulais #SnoopVapes #SouthWalesPolice #StHelensRoad #Swansea #SwanseaCityCentre #SwanseaCouncil #TradingStandards #vapes #WorldOfVapes

Health Board confirms temporary transfer of Gorseinon Hospital inpatient beds to Singleton

The decision, taken at the Board’s monthly meeting on Thursday 25 September, follows weeks of speculation and community concern after Swansea Bay News first revealed the proposals earlier this month.

Safety concerns drive decision

The Health Board said the move was necessary after repeated warnings about staffing levels on Gorseinon’s 30‑bed West Ward, where up to half of shifts were being covered by agency or temporary staff. Senior clinicians, including the Executive Director of Nursing and consultant geriatricians, advised that the situation posed too many risks to patient safety to continue.

By consolidating the beds at Singleton, the Board says staff will be able to support one another more effectively, with access to wider nursing, therapy and medical teams as well as stronger leadership capacity.

Gorseinon Hospital “not closing”

The announcement comes after councillors and local campaigners pressed the case for inpatient services to remain in Gorseinon. The Health Board has again stressed that the hospital itself is not closing, and that a wide range of services will continue on site.

These include musculoskeletal physiotherapy, respiratory and cardiology clinics, the Heart Failure Clinic, community nursing teams, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, phlebotomy, Parkinson’s nurses and health visiting services.

A spokesperson said: “At all times during the discussion on the temporary relocation of the inpatient ward, the ongoing important role of Gorseinon Hospital was emphasised and a commitment made to its long‑term future as a vibrant and important healthcare hub.”

Community engagement promised

The Board has committed to holding a dedicated engagement event in Gorseinon in the New Year as part of its wider Clinical Services Plan. This will give local people the chance to feed into decisions about the long‑term shape of services across Swansea Bay.

In the meantime, discussions are taking place with patients and families affected by the transfer, as well as with staff whose roles will move to Singleton. The transfer is expected to take effect from 1 October.

Councillors vow to keep up pressure

Local councillors, who met with Health Board leaders earlier this month, said they welcomed assurances that Gorseinon Hospital will remain open but would continue to push for inpatient services to return. A petition calling for services to be protected has already attracted hundreds of signatures.

Related articles

• Health board considers moving all inpatient beds from Gorseinon Hospital to Singleton

  Initial proposals revealed plans to transfer “step‑down” beds to Singleton due to staffing pressures.

• Health Board insists Gorseinon Hospital will not close as councillors press case for in‑patient services

  Local councillors sought assurances after concerns grew over the hospital’s future role.

• Health Board update on transfer of inpatient beds from Gorseinon to Singleton

  Board confirms temporary relocation of beds from 1 October, citing patient safety concerns.

#cardiologyClinic #communityNursing #Gorseinon #GorseinonHospital #HeartFailureClinic #hospitalSafety #musculoskeletalPhysiotherapy #occupationalTherapy #ParkinsonS #Phlebotomy #respiratoryClinic #SingletonHospital #speechAndLanguageTherapy #SwanseaBayUniversityHealthBoard #wardClosure

Shock as iconic Swansea motorbike dealership M&P Direct closes after nearly five decades

M&P Direct, based at Phoenix Way on the Garngoch Industrial Estate in Gorseinon, has been a fixture of the UK biking scene since 1978, supplying motorcycles, parts, clothing and accessories to generations of riders.

The company’s official Facebook page confirmed the closure this week, posting a black graphic with the M&P logo and the words “1978 – 2025. Ride in peace.” The profile has since been updated to state: “The store is permanently closed with no access.”

Staff redundancies

It is understood that around 50 staff were informed of redundancies on 15 September and were formally let go on 24 September. The business had been taken over by a group of investors earlier this year, but no official statement has yet been made by the company. Insolvency practitioners RG Insolvency have been appointed.

Community reaction

The news has prompted an outpouring of sadness from the biking community across Wales and beyond. Hundreds of comments have been posted online, many describing M&P as a cornerstone of their motorcycling lives.

• Mike Morgan, former Marketing and Brand Ambassador at M&P, wrote: “Heartbroken. The truth will be spoken soon. Until then, please give us some space. To my family of 18 years… you have enabled me to live a dream. I love you all.”
• Ali Brooks‑Davies, from Ride Like A Girl, said: “Devastated for all the hardworking guys at M&P Direct Ltd… we sincerely wish the very best for every one of the team affected.”
• No Limit Trackdays posted: “A sad day for the UK biking community as M&P Direct Ltd close their doors for the very last time… The garage won’t feel quite the same without them.”
• Long‑time customer Andy Roberts recalled: “Been buying from M&P since 1983 when they had a small shop in the centre of Swansea. Very sad to see the closure of what has become my go‑to store for anything bike related for 42 years.”

Other riders described the closure as a “massive loss to the biking community” and “a successful business run into the ground in a matter of months.”

Industry shock

The closure has also been reported by national motorcycling outlets, with Visordown describing the shutdown as happening “suddenly and without warning”, while the British Motorcyclists Federation noted that M&P had been “one of Britain’s leading motorcycle dealerships” since the late 1970s. Trade publication British Dealer News reported that the company had been acquired by a consortium in February but collapsed into liquidation just months later, with liabilities of more than £4m.

End of an era

For many bikers, M&P was more than just a shop — it was a trusted source of parts, advice and community. Its thick mail‑order catalogues were once a staple of garages across the UK, and its Swansea base became a destination for enthusiasts.

The sudden closure marks the end of an era for motorcycling in Wales, with uncertainty now hanging over the future of the site and the staff affected.

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#Business #businessClosure #Garngoch #Gorseinon #insolvency #MPDirect #motorbikes #motorcycle #PhoenixWay #Swansea

Motorcyclist dies after crash closes major Swansea route for more than 10 hours

Emergency services were called to the A484 at Gorseinon just after 8pm on Thursday (25 September). Despite the efforts of the Fire Service, Welsh Ambulance Service and South Wales Police’s Roads Policing Unit, the rider of the motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene.

South Wales Police said the man’s family are being supported by specially trained officers and the coroner has been informed.

Road closed overnight

The crash led to the closure of the A484 in both directions between Tesco Fforestfach roundabout and Garngoch roundabout. Police warned drivers to avoid the area, with diversions causing heavy congestion on surrounding routes including Swansea Road.

The road remained closed for more than 10 hours while collision investigators examined the scene. It was confirmed reopened shortly before 10am on Friday morning.

Appeal for witnesses

A South Wales Police spokesperson said:

“Officers received a report of a collision involving a motorcycle and a car on the A484 at Gorseinon just after 8pm on Thursday September 25. Despite the efforts of the Fire Service, Ambulance and Roads Policing Unit, the rider of the motorcycle – a man in his 60s – died at the scene. The coroner is aware and the man’s family is being supported by trained officers.”

Police have appealed for anyone with information about the crash to come forward, quoting reference 2500308050.

More news from Gorseinon

Builder donation helps support community cricket in Gorseinon
Persimmon Homes West Wales has donated £2,000 to Gorseinon Cricket Club to support grassroots sport and new equipment.

New banking hub confirmed for Gorseinon
Cash Access UK will open a shared banking hub in the town to ensure residents and businesses continue to have face‑to‑face services.

Lloyds Bank to close Ammanford and Gorseinon branches in 2026
Lloyds has confirmed its Gorseinon branch will shut in October 2026 as part of a UK‑wide programme of closures.

Health Board insists Gorseinon Hospital will not close
Swansea Bay UHB says the hospital remains a key part of its estate, despite temporary changes to in‑patient services.

#A484 #fatalAccident #featured #GardenVillage #Garngoch #Gorseinon #motorbike #RoadTrafficAccident #SouthWalesPolice

Lloyds Bank to close Ammanford and Gorseinon branches in 2026

The company confirmed that 49 branches across the UK will shut between January and October 2026, including three in Wales. Locally, the Ammanford branch will close on 12 January 2026, while the Gorseinon branch will close on 12 October 2026. The third Welsh closure is in Chepstow on 7 October 2026.

National picture

The closures form part of a wider programme affecting Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland sites. In total, 26 Lloyds branches, 10 Halifax and 13 Bank of Scotland branches will shut, leaving the group with 705 branches nationwide.

The move follows similar announcements from other high street banks, with NatWest recently confirming it will axe 46 mobile branches in January 2026.

Impact and alternatives

Lloyds said all staff affected will be offered roles elsewhere in the business. Customers are being reminded they can continue to use other Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland branches, as well as the Post Office and new community banking hubs. Cash deposits can also be made at more than 30,000 PayPoint locations.

Following the announcement, cash access network Link recommended the establishment of 11 new banking hubs across the UK to help communities losing their last bank.

Bank statement

A spokesperson for Lloyds Banking Group said:

“The way people are banking has changed, with over 21 million customers choosing our apps to manage their money. We’re providing more choice than ever before, bringing together the best in digital convenience with our people.”

Local context

The closure of the Gorseinon branch in October 2026 will leave Principality Building Society as the only remaining banking provider in the town. A new banking hub has already been confirmed for Gorseinon to help fill the gap left by recent closures.

Related stories on local banking changes

New banking hub confirmed for Gorseinon after branch closure announcements
Cash Access UK will open a new hub in Gorseinon to provide shared counter services and community banker support after recent branch closures.

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A former TSB branch on Station Road may be redeveloped into affordable housing with office space retained at the front under new proposals.

Plaid MS challenges LINK over Pontardawe banking hub snub
Sioned Williams MS has disputed LINK’s decision not to recommend a hub for Pontardawe, warning the Swansea Valley will be left without a single bank.

Temporary banking hub opens in Ystradgynlais
A new hub has opened at The Welfare on Brecon Road, restoring in‑person banking services to the town after a two‑year campaign.

Senedd Member speaks out on ‘deeply disappointing’ Lloyds response on Pontardawe bank closure
Sioned Williams MS criticised Lloyds’ handling of the closure, warning it will affect up to 25,000 people across the Swansea Valley.

#Ammanford #bank #bankClosure #BankingHub #Gorseinon #Link #LloydsBank #money

New banking hub confirmed for Gorseinon after branch closure announcements

Shared banking space

The hub will be delivered by Cash Access UK before the closure of a local branch next year. It will provide counter services run by Post Office staff, allowing customers to withdraw and deposit cash, pay bills and carry out everyday transactions.

Private consultation rooms will also be available, where customers can meet community bankers from their own bank on a rotating basis to discuss more complex matters.

Gorseinon will be the second banking hub in Swansea, joining the existing facility in Morriston.

Local banking picture

The announcement comes after a series of high‑street bank closures across South West Wales:

• Barclays shut its Gorseinon branch in February 2022, citing a steep fall in counter transactions. At the time, the bank revealed only 83 customers used the branch exclusively, while 83% were already banking online or by phone.
• HSBC closed its Alexandra Road branch in June 2021. Lloyds has announced it will close its Gorseinon branch in October 2025, leaving Principality Building Society as the only remaining provider in the town and prompting the creation of the new banking hub.
• In nearby Pontardawe, Lloyds Bank’s planned closure has been branded a “betrayal” by Senedd Member Sioned Williams, who warned it would leave the entire Swansea Valley without a single bank branch.
• TSB announced the closure of its Carmarthen branch in September 2024, part of a UK‑wide cut of 36 branches and 250 jobs, with just a handful of customers still using the branch regularly.
• NatWest’s decision to close its Neath branch has also been met with “deep disappointment” from local representatives, who warned of the impact on businesses and vulnerable residents.

The new Gorseinon hub is intended to ensure residents and businesses continue to have access to face‑to‑face banking services despite this wider trend of closures.

LINK statement

Chris Ashton, Chief Commercial Officer at LINK, said:

“While more people are switching to digital banking and payments, we know that many people still rely on and choose to use cash. That’s why we’re delighted to recommend Gorseinon as one of 11 new hubs today.”

Related stories on bank closures

Barclays confirms closure of bank branches in Gorseinon and Port Talbot
Barclays shut its Gorseinon branch in February 2022, saying only 83 customers used it exclusively, with most already banking online or by phone.

Senedd Member speaks out on ‘deeply disappointing’ Lloyds response on Pontardawe bank closure
Sioned Williams MS warned the closure would leave the entire Swansea Valley without a single bank branch, affecting up to 25,000 people.

TSB announces closure of Carmarthen branch
TSB confirmed its Blue Street branch would close in September 2024, with just five customers regularly using it for personal or business banking.

‘Deep disappointment’ over NatWest’s Neath branch closure
Senedd Member Sioned Williams said the decision was a “scandal” that would hit local businesses and vulnerable residents in Neath.

Correction: An earlier version of this article stated that Lloyds was one of the only banks still open in Gorseinon. In fact, Lloyds has announced its branch will close in October 2025, which was a catalyst for the new banking hub. The branch remains open until then.

#bank #bankClosure #BankingHub #Barclays #CashAccessUK #Gorseinon #HSBC #Link #LloydsBank #money #Natwest #PostOffice #PrincipalityBuildingSociety #TSB

Builder donation helps support community cricket in Gorseinon

The Penllergaer‑based housebuilder made the contribution through its Community Champions scheme, which supports grassroots organisations across Wales. The funding will go towards the day‑to‑day running of the club and the purchase of new equipment.

Gorseinon Cricket Club has long been a hub for the local community, offering opportunities for juniors picking up a bat for the first time through to senior sides competing across South Wales. The club also promotes healthy, active lifestyles and community spirit in Gorseinon and the surrounding area.

Sharon Bouhali, Sales Director at Persimmon Homes West Wales, said:

“We’re delighted to be able to support Gorseinon Cricket Club through our Community Champions scheme. Clubs like this are at the heart of their communities, bringing people together and giving young people a place to learn new skills, make friends, and grow in confidence. With our live Cwrt y Brenin site delivering homes for local people nearby in Garden Village, we are delighted to start this association with the club.”

The Community Champions scheme sees Persimmon donate £48,000 each year to good causes across Wales. Recent local recipients include Pontarddulais RFC, Swansea Schools FC U12s, Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera, and Friends of Gowerton Primary School.

David Fowles, Chair of Gorseinon Cricket Club, said the support would make a real difference:

“On behalf of everyone at the club, I want to thank Persimmon for their generous donation. Running a community club requires a lot of effort and resources, and this support will help us continue to provide cricketing opportunities for people of all ages in Gorseinon.”

Local councillors Nicola Matthews and Jan Curtice, who attended the cheque presentation, added in a joint statement:

“Gorseinon Cricket Club is a fantastic example of community spirit, providing sporting opportunities and a welcoming space for local people. We are delighted to see a local business such as Persimmon supporting such an important community asset, and this donation will help the club continue to thrive.”

Persimmon is currently building at its Cwrt y Brenin development in Garden Village, which will eventually provide 705 new homes for local families.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Pontarddulais RFC secures major sponsorship from Persimmon Homes for 2025/26 season
Long‑standing community rugby club strengthens its partnership with the housebuilder through new funding.

Developer helps West Wales rugby club roof fund
Persimmon donates £1,000 to support vital clubhouse repairs and solar panel installation at Pontarddulais RFC.

Developer gives cash boost to Penllergaer football team
Local grassroots football club receives funding for new kit and equipment through Persimmon’s Community Champions scheme.

Cricket club ‘bowled over’ by developer donation
Clwb Criced Bronwydd secures support to expand facilities and welcome more players thanks to Persimmon funding.

#community #cricket #Gorseinon #GorseinonCricketClub #GrassrootsCricket #grassrootsSport #PersimmonHomes

Gorseinon Donation centre shortlisted for prestigious national award

The Awards, run by the Charity Retail Association, are now in their second year and are a celebration of the impact that charity shops have within their local communities.

For many, charity shops are more than a place to pick up a secondhand bargain – they are community hubs that employ local people, help volunteers find friendship, and offer support to those with first-hand experience of the causes they support.   

More than 5,000 nominations were received this year and, as part of the process, people were asked to share why they were nominating their favourite shop. When asked what makes Gorseinon Donation centre so special, members of the public said:

“They really care for the community, their staff and volunteers. Lots of fun events, special days, repair cafe, food bank etc. Preloved furniture at great prices. Entertaining on social media.” 

“The staff just make you smile and laugh – they absolutely love their jobs (and their customers), the prices are better than a car boot sale and I now follow them on social media because it’s too good a place to miss – absolutely amazing shop.” 

Gareth Carnegie, donation centre manager said:

“We are incredibly proud to be nominated. This recognition reflects not only the vital services we are able to provide, but also the warm and welcoming atmosphere our team works so hard to create every day.

“None of this would be possible without the continued generosity of our donors and the loyalty of our wonderful customers. This nomination belongs to all of us – staff, volunteers, donors, and supporters – who make our shop such a special place and of course me for picking the music.”

Robin Osterley OBE, Chief Executive of the Charity Retail Association, said:

“Congratulations to all the shops that made the shortlist, and thank you to everyone who made a nomination. The level of support the Awards continue to inspire highlights just how much charity shops mean to their local communities.

“We are now calling on the public to cast their votes and decide which shops will be crowned winners in 12 areas across the UK.”

People can vote for their favourite shop now, here: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8448060/Vote-in-The-UK-s-Favourite-Charity-Shop-Awards-2025

Voting closes at midnight on 2 October. To see all the shortlisted shops and for more details about the Awards, visit: https://charityretail.org.uk/the-uks-favourite-charity-shop 

#Gorseinon #SalvationArmy #UKFavouriteCharityShop

Gorseinon pensioner jailed for sexual assaults on women in their 20s

Stewart Read, of Gower View Road, was convicted at trial of nine counts of sexual assault. Swansea Crown Court heard he repeatedly touched two women in their 20s, both under and over their clothing, at a number of locations around Swansea.

The court was told the abuse had a profound impact on the victims. One said it had affected “every part of my life”, while the other described being left feeling “unworthy and broken” and said the trauma had led her to turn to drink and drugs.

Judge: ‘He enjoyed the power’

Sentencing, Judge Catherine Richards said it was clear from the evidence that Read had manipulated his victims and “enjoyed the power” he exerted over them.

Read, who continues to maintain his innocence, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison. He will serve two‑thirds of the term in custody before being released on licence, and will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life.

Police: ‘A dangerous individual’

Detective Constable Sarah Cook, of South Wales Police, said:

“Stewart Read is clearly an incredibly dangerous man who repeatedly laid his hands on women in a sexual manner without their consent.

He obviously derived a sick pleasure from what he was doing, and his not guilty pleas show that there is absolutely no remorse in him.

It is absolutely right that he spends multiple years in prison. The victims have shown great courage and resilience throughout this process, and I want to thank them for coming forward and helping South Wales Police to put a dangerous individual in prison.”

Support for survivors

South Wales Police said they recognised how difficult it is for survivors of sexual abuse to speak out, but urged anyone affected not to suffer in silence.

Information and details of support services are available on the South Wales Police website.

#Gorseinon #sexualAssault #SouthWalesPolice