Continuous ribbon of housing could stretch from Penllergaer to Gowerton as new 600‑home scheme unveiled

The new scheme

Planning consultants Lichfields have lodged a request for a screening opinion with Swansea Council on behalf of Persimmon. The 45‑hectare site, bisected by Swansea Road (B4560), could deliver:

• Up to 600 homes (mainly 2–4 bedroom houses, some flats up to four storeys).
• A local centre with shops and flats above.
• A community orchard and allotments.
• An active travel route linking through the site and across the River Llan, connecting into the neighbouring Fairwood Terrace site. This would be a walking and cycling link only – not a vehicular road.

Map showing Persimmon’s proposed housing developments between Fforestfach, Waunarlwydd and Gowerton, including links to the Fairwood Terrace site and their position opposite Parc Mawr in Penllergaer.
(Image: Litchfields)

Opposite Parc Mawr on the A484

The site’s northern boundary fronts the A484, directly opposite the Parc Mawr development in Penllergaer, where Bellway and Barratt are building around 1,000 homes, a school and a new link road to the A483/M4.

If both proceed, the A484 would effectively become the spine of a continuous growth corridor, with large housing estates on both sides of the road.

Fairwood Terrace controversy

Just to the west, Persimmon’s Fairwood Terrace scheme for around 230 homes beside Gowerton railway station was refused by councillors in 2024 on traffic grounds, despite officer support.

That decision followed fierce local opposition, with nearly 900 objection letters and a 300‑signature petition. Residents warned the development would overwhelm already congested junctions. Persimmon has since appealed to the Welsh Government, and the case is now with Planning and Environment Decisions Wales.

The new Fforestfach/Waunarlwydd site is designed to link into Fairwood Terrace via the active travel route, knitting the two schemes together.

Other major schemes nearby

The Fforestfach proposal adds to a cluster of large developments already reshaping north‑west Swansea:

• Garden Village, Gorseinon (Persimmon): More than 700 homes under construction, with a school, park and community facilities.
• Parc Mawr, Penllergaer (Bellway/Barratt): Around 850 homes, a school and a new link road between Gorseinon Road and the A483.
• Pentref Llewelyn, Penllergaer (Barratt): Over 150 homes north of Penllergaer, adjoining Parc Mawr.
• Fairwood Terrace, Gowerton (Persimmon): 230 homes refused, now under appeal.
• Chapel Fields, Loughor (Barratt): 115 homes across two phases on land south of Glebe Road, backing onto the A484.

The cumulative picture

If all of these schemes proceed, the corridor from Penllergaer through Gorseinon, Waunarlwydd and Gowerton could see close to 3,000 new homes built.

That scale of growth would amount to a new town the size of Loughor or Pontarddulais, stitched together along the A484. Campaigners argue the cumulative impact on traffic, schools, GP surgeries and green space cannot be ignored.

At a glance: the A484 housing corridor

DevelopmentLocationDeveloperHomesStatusParc MawrPenllergaer – bounded by the A4240 (north), A483 (east) and A484 (south)Bellway850 (184 in first phase)Under construction (phased)Pentref LlewelynOpposite Parc Mawr, PenllergaerBarratt / David Wilson Homes166Approved, partly built outGarden VillageNorth‑west of GorseinonPersimmon705Under constructionFairwood TerraceBeside Gowerton railway stationPersimmon216Refused (2024), now under appealFforestfach / WaunarlwyddSouth of A484, directly opposite Parc MawrPersimmonUp to 600Pre‑planning (screening opinion lodged)Chapel FieldsLand south of Glebe Road, Loughor (backing onto A484)Barratt Homes115 (92 + 23 in second phase)Phase 1 under construction; Phase 2 approved

Total potential homes across corridor: around 2,650

What is a screening opinion?

Under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, large developments may need a full Environmental Impact Assessment if they are likely to have significant environmental effects.

A screening opinion is the council’s formal decision on whether an EIA is required. Developers submit details of the site, the proposal and potential impacts, and the council decides if a full EIA must accompany any future planning application.

In this case, Persimmon argue that impacts can be managed through mitigation measures such as drainage schemes, ecological surveys and construction management plans, so a full EIA is not necessary. Swansea Council will issue its decision within 21 days.

Next steps

If the council rules that no EIA is required, Persimmon can move ahead with a full planning application for the site. If an EIA is required, the process will be longer and more detailed.

Either way, the proposals will eventually go before Swansea Council’s planning committee, where councillors will weigh the scheme against local and national planning policies — and the views of residents.

Related Articles

• Plans drawn up for 230 home development near Gowerton train station
  Persimmon’s controversial Fairwood Terrace scheme, refused by councillors in 2024 and now under appeal.
• Huge Gowerton solar farm goes to statutory consultation
  Parc Solar Caenewydd could power 11,500 homes, but has sparked debate over land use and local impacts.
• Pictures show progress at Parc Mawr housing development in Penllergaer
  Drone images show Bellway’s major scheme taking shape, with the first residents already moved in.
• New Gowerton to Kingsbridge route opens to cyclists in Swansea
  A 1.4km active travel link now connects communities, part of Swansea Council’s wider cycle network plans.

Correction: This article originally stated that the Pentref Llewelyn development in Penllergaer comprised around 400 homes. The approved planning consent is for 166 homes. No additional phases have been submitted or approved at this stage.

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