TOWNHILL: Social housing developer plans 27 affordable homes on derelict nursery site

A derelict plot in Townhill — one of Wales’s oldest council-built communities — could be about to get a new lease of life, with plans lodged for 27 affordable apartments on land that has sat empty since the demolition of a nursery school more than a decade ago.

The proposal, submitted by Swansea planning agents Asbri Planning, would see the former Bryn Nursery School site at the junction of Townhill Road and Tower Gardens transformed into a 100% affordable housing development — every home ring-fenced for people who cannot afford to buy or rent on the open market.

Behind the scheme is Castell Group, a Swansea Vale-based developer that specialises in affordable and social housing across south Wales, working with registered social landlords including Caredig and Hafod.

The site has a long and frustrated planning history. Bryn Nursery School closed in 2005 and was demolished around 2011, leaving a vacant brownfield plot on one of Townhill’s main roads. Earlier proposals for a 58-bed care home were approved but never built. In 2021, budget supermarket chain Heron Foods — owned by B&M — twice applied to build a small express-format store on the site, only for both applications to be refused by Swansea Council on retail and highway grounds. The land has remained empty ever since.

The development would sit in a neighbourhood with a particular place in Welsh housing history. Townhill — built on the hillside above the city from the 1920s onwards — was one of the first purpose-built council communities in Wales, planned to provide decent homes for Swansea’s working-class population at a time when much of the city’s housing was overcrowded and inadequate. A century on, the demand for affordable homes here hasn’t gone away.

The proposed development would comprise 17 one-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom apartments across several two and three storey brick-built blocks with pitched roofs, in keeping with the surrounding streets. The site — currently overgrown scrubland that has regenerated since the old nursery came down — is just 150 metres from Townhill’s local centre, within walking distance of shops, a pharmacy, a library and a primary school, and close to bus services into Swansea city centre and Morriston Hospital.

The scheme has already been through informal discussions with Swansea Council, which confirmed that the principle of residential development here was acceptable. The original proposal was for 33 units, but this was reduced to 27 following council feedback about the site’s proximity to Tower Court — a supported independent living scheme for older residents next door. A flat roof design was also rejected by planners who noted that the surrounding area is entirely pitched-roof in character.

The plans include 22 parking spaces, secure cycle storage, extensive landscaping and tree planting, sustainable urban drainage, solar panels and electric vehicle charging points.

The public consultation runs until 24 April 2026.

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BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE: £4.9m school boost gets underway in Townhill

A brand-new dining hall and all-weather sports pitch are being built at Townhill Community Primary School, with leaders hailing the project as a “game-changer” for pupils and families.

The investment — backed largely by the Welsh Government — aims to make sure every child can benefit from free school meals without squeezing into cramped facilities.

Right now, all pupils are entitled to a free lunch — but the school’s current kitchen and canteen simply can’t keep up.

Council leader Rob Stewart said:

“This is making a real and important difference to families throughout Swansea.”

And it’s not just about food.

The new hall will double up as a performance and community space — giving parents more room to watch school concerts and opening the doors for wider local use.

Meanwhile, a brand-new multi-use games area will give pupils — and the wider community — a place to stay active all year round.

Education boss Robert Smith said:

“This will be an exciting addition… boosting health and wellbeing during the day and beyond.”

Contractors Andrew Scott Ltd are leading the build, which is expected to take around a year.

School leaders say the investment is about more than bricks and mortar.

Headteacher Peter Owen said:

“We are delighted the school and community are going to have such a superb resource.”

And governors say it marks a step towards becoming a true “community school” — with facilities used long after the final bell rings.

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SWANSEA: Council to invest nearly £70m in council homes this year—part of £267m four-year plan

Millions of pounds are being earmarked to insulate and weatherproof hundreds of existing homes, making them warmer and more efficient to help reduce the cost of heating for tenants.

The spending is part of the biggest ever investment in council-owned homes for affordable rent in the city, which will see £267 million spent over the next four years.

Where the Money Is Going

Among the major projects planned for spending this year are:

£40 million is being spent on keeping council homes in communities across the city in a good state of repair, including Penyrheol, Fforesthall, Penlan, Sketty, Mayhill, and Townhill.

Within the £40m, £17 million is being set aside for more upgrades at the Dyfatty flats at Croft Street, Griffith John Street, and Clyne and Jeffreys Court.

More than £12.7 million is planned for spending on the council’s pioneering More Homes initiative, which aims to add 1,000 affordable homes for rent to its existing stock. This includes new homes being built at Brokesby Road and £1.5m for acquisitions.

More than £1.2 million will be spent on improving homes at Heol Emrys and Tudno Place, with funding also earmarked for future years to develop more affordable homes, providing estate and environmental improvements.

More than £1.8 million is going on the council’s continuing programme of improving kitchens and bathrooms.

More than £3.6 million is being spent on environmental improvements in places like Garnswllt, Townhill, West Cross, and Fforesthall.

‘Better Homes for Our Residents’

Andrea Williams, Cabinet Member for Service Improvement, said Swansea Council’s ambitious spending programme for council housing reflected its commitment to providing high-quality homes that are energy-efficient and affordable for tenants.

Cllr Andrea Williams said:

“Better homes for our residents are one of the critical building blocks of creating a better future for children, for families and for our city. They improve people’s health and affordable homes that are energy efficient help reduce poverty and together they contribute to happier communities.”

She added:

“Over the last few years there has been a huge investment worth hundreds of millions of pounds into making sure the homes we own are in good shape and fit for the future under the Welsh Housing Quality Standard. In the coming year further investment of an estimated £69m will mean hundreds of families will benefit from improvements to their homes. Money is being earmarked for other projects including electrical re-wiring and weather-proofing where needed as well as general environmental improvements.”

Supporting Local Jobs

Cllr Williams said the council’s housing projects support hundreds of local jobs and apprenticeships, so it’s a “win-win” for local communities.

Funding for the new homes and the upgrades for existing homes is coming from the rents paid by tenants, Welsh Government grants, and HRA borrowing. None of the spending is from council tax.

Smiling Swansea dad jailed after dealing cocaine while driving banned with his children in the car

Gavin Jones, 37, was stopped in Swansea city centre on New Year’s Eve after officers spotted him behind the wheel of a car that wasn’t registered or insured to him. Checks quickly revealed he was already disqualified from driving.

Inside the vehicle were two of his children and his partner. As officers spoke to him, messages linked to drug dealing began flashing up on his mobile phone — including bulk texts advertising cocaine and cannabis.

Drugs found in two cars and cash hidden in a sock

Police seized a key to a second vehicle, which was later searched. Inside the central console they found 12 snap bags of cocaine worth up to £1,080.

A search of Jones’ flat uncovered more cannabis and £1,930 in cash stuffed inside a sock.

South Wales Police said Jones showed a “clear and obvious disregard for the law”.

Sergeant Luke Tucker, South Wales Police, said: “Gavin Jones has a clear and obvious disregard for the law, something which is shown in his lengthy charge sheet. He now knows that the law applies to him.”

Court told he had 34 previous convictions

At Swansea Crown Court, prosecutors said Jones had 34 previous convictions — including a conviction in 2022 for being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

He answered “no comment” to most police questions after his arrest.

Alycia Carpanini, prosecuting, told the court the drugs found in the second car were packaged for sale and that Jones had been sending out bulk marketing messages to customers.

“Author of his own misfortune”

Jones’ barrister said he had been using cocaine and had built up a debt.

Andrew Evans, defending, said: “He accepts that he is the author of his own misfortune. The persons his offending will have the biggest impact on are his five children.”

Judge Huw Rees told Jones his actions were aggravated by his previous drug‑supply conviction.

“You will now be deprived of a role that you are proud of — that of a father,” he said. “That is the price you will have to pay yet again for being concerned in the supply of drugs.”

The sentence

Jones admitted a string of offences, including being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis, possessing cocaine with intent to supply, possessing cannabis, driving while disqualified and using a vehicle without insurance. He also pleaded guilty to possessing criminal property after officers found almost £2,000 in cash hidden in a sock.

He was jailed for four years and five months — serving half in custody and half on licence — and banned from driving for 38 months.

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Swansea man jailed following Townhill burglary

38-year-old Daniel Allen, from Waun Wen, was identified as the suspect after attempting to sell a lamp stolen from the property at a nearby shop. Other ornaments, computers, phones and trainers were also stolen during the burglary, at an address on Gomer Road.

He has 37 previous convictions for 76 offences, with around 50 relating to theft and similar matters. The court heard he has been jailed for 17 shoplifting offences this year alone.

Dan Griffiths, defending his guilty plea at Swansea Magistrates Court, said a custodial sentence was inevitable and told the court that addiction to Class A drugs and excessive alcohol consumption had blighted Allen’s adult life and been the “driver” for his offending.

“The reality is his client is ‘simply unable to cope in the community, and the best place for him for the foreseeable future would be the structured environment of a custodial setting,” he said.

Allen refused to attend his sentencing hearing, with Mr Griffiths saying even if given another chance to attend on a subsequent date, he did not think his client would.

Judge Vanessa Francis said it was clear Allen’s life was blighted by drink and drugs, but added that he was “in turn blighting the lives of others by his actions”.

She said she had not been invited to consider suspending the custodial sentence, and even if she had been, given the defendant’s “abject failure” to comply with court orders in the past, an immediate custodial sentence was the only option.

With a one-third discount for his guilty plea, Allen was sentenced to 20 months in prison. He will serve no more than half the sentence in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.

Detective Constable Liam Jenkins said:

“Daniel Allen had already been remanded for 13 shoplifting offences at the time of the investigation into this burglary.

“Whilst he was known to the victim, any burglary will cause worry amongst all those who live on the victim’s street, so I hope that they can feel some relief in knowing Daniel Allen is going to prison.

“It is very disappointing that Daniel continues to offend in this way.”

[Lead image: South Wales Police]

Swansea’s blue bag plastics trial extended – 70 tonnes collected so far

Around 20,000 households across the city have been stuffing crisp packets, bread bags and biscuit wrappers into special blue bags for kerbside pick‑up. The trial, launched in spring, was designed to see if residents would embrace recycling the trickiest plastics that usually end up in black bags.

They did. Within weeks, Swansea Bay News reported more than five tonnes had already been collected. Now the total has soared past 70 tonnes, with the material recycled into new products like bags for life and bin liners.

“A great success story”

Cabinet Member Cyril Anderson said:

“The trial so far has been a really great success story. Residents have got on board with it and have quickly seen the value in using the recycling service and reducing the amount of household waste they put in the black bag. Our plan is to continue the trial into the new year and give residents in the trial areas the opportunity to use the blue bags until June.”

Where it runs

The scheme covers a mix of areas across Swansea – from Blaenymaes, Fforestfach and Penlan to Clydach, Hafod and Townhill – chosen to test how different housing types use the service. Residents outside the trial can still recycle soft plastics at supermarket collection points.

What goes in the bag

Accepted items include crisp packets, bread bags, cereal liners, pet food bags, magazine wrapping and multipack rings. Residents are asked to rinse items and tie bags securely with a double knot.

Items such as cling film, polystyrene, cleaning product pouches and blister packs are not accepted and should go in black bags.

What’s next

The Welsh Government is collating data from Swansea’s trial to help decide how similar schemes could be rolled out across other towns and cities. For now, Swansea households in the pilot areas can keep filling their blue bags until 30 June 2026.

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Swansea man jailed for life for murder of Leanne Williams

Matthew Battenbough, 34, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to murder at Swansea Crown Court in August. Today he was sentenced to life imprisonment and must serve a minimum of 20 years and 114 days before being considered for release.

Leanne Williams’ body was discovered by officers at her home on Gomer Road, Townhill, on Thursday 27 February. A Home Office post‑mortem confirmed she had suffered significant injuries consistent with an assault.

“Devastating to her family and community”

Detective Inspector David Butt of South Wales Police said:

“The news of Leanne’s death was devastating to her family and to the wider communities of Townhill and Swansea.

Matthew Battenbough’s actions took Leanne’s life, tore apart the lives of her family and also caused immense distress to his own family.

We hope that this sentence offers some comfort to Leanne’s family and friends.

I would like to thank the community of Townhill for the way that they assisted and supported the investigation during what was a very sad and difficult time.”

Family tribute

In a statement, Leanne’s family said:

“Leanne was beautiful, strong, and kind. She loved nature and animals and had a special connection to horses.

She aspired to help others by giving them the opportunity to access specially‑trained horses and ponies who were sensitive to mental health and other issues.

She will be missed dearly.

We would like to thank South Wales Police for their continued support and the due diligence of the investigation team.”

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Townhill man suffers life-threatening burn injuries following arson at Swansea house

The blaze is understood to have been started shortly after 1am on Wednesday 27 August.

Multiple crews from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were sent to the property, described as two-storey mid-terrace flat.

South Wales Police confirmed the fire is believed to have been started deliberately on the property’s shared balcony.

A local man was later taken to hospital, where his condition is believed to be life-threatening.

In a statement South Wales Police said:

“Officers were called to Gors Avenue, Townhill, Swansea just after 1am today (Wednesday August 27) following a report of a house fire.

“The fire is believed to have been started deliberately on the shared balcony of the property which sustained extensive fire damage.

“A man from Townhill has been taken to hospital with serious burn injuries. His condition is believed to be life-threatening. A scene remains in place at the property whilst an investigation is carried out.”

A spokeswoman for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said:

“At 1.05am on Wednesday, August 27, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Gorseinon, Morriston, and Swansea Central Fire Station were called to an incident at Townhill, Swansea.

“Crews responded to a fire on a balcony of a two-storey mid-terrace flat. Crews utilised one hose reel jet, one thermal imagining camera, and forced entry tools to extinguish the fire.

“One casualty sustained burns and was conveyed to hospital.

“Crews left the scene at 2.46am.”

[Lead image: Google Maps]

#Arson #fireService #GorsAvenue #SouthWalesPolice #Townhill

Townhill man jailed after threatening to ‘glass’ woman and confronting man with knife

Ross Milward, 39, of Gwynedd Avenue, Townhill, sent a series of abusive voice notes to a woman he had been dating for just nine days, threatening to “put a glass through your face” after she texted to say she would be late for a date. He also threatened to damage her car, attend her workplace and assault her colleagues.

Swansea Crown Court heard Milward had a history of violence towards former partners. In December last year he split from another woman but continued to contact her. By February, he was bombarding her with hundreds of calls and voicemails — including 131 calls in just two days — many of them threatening and abusive.

The court was told he threatened to stab his ex in the face and “smash up” a man he believed she was seeing, warning she would “not be safe” when he was around in Swansea.

On 17 April this year, hours after sending the threats to his new partner, Milward was seen in Gors Avenue playing fields confronting a teenager with a knife. The boy’s father intervened, and Milward made stabbing motions towards him before being punched to the ground. He fled, leaving behind the knife, his phone and one shoe. Police identified him from a bank card in the phone case and later found him hiding in a nearby property.

Milward pleaded guilty to harassment, sending threatening communications, and threatening a person with a bladed article in a public place. He also admitted earlier charges of sending a communication threatening death or serious harm, and sending an obscene or menacing message.

The court heard he has 11 previous convictions for 22 offences, including grievous bodily harm, battery and criminal damage against ex‑partners, and was already subject to a suspended sentence for battery, public disorder and criminal damage.

Judge Geraint Walters described Milward’s behaviour towards his former partner as “vile and relentless bullying” fuelled by alcohol and “no doubt some element of personality issues”, adding: “It begs the question why any woman would want anything to do with him.”

With credit for guilty pleas, Milward was sentenced to 24 months in prison, with a further two months of his suspended sentence activated, making a total of 26 months. He will serve up to half in custody before being released on licence.

Detective Constable Thomas Clarke, of South Wales Police, said:

“Ross Milward is clearly a violent man who has no problem with directing this violence towards people he does not even know. These will have been very intimidating experiences for his victims. Milward’s conduct was completely unacceptable, and people behaving like he has done have no place in society. He is deservedly starting his time in prison.”

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Man pleads guilty to murder of Leanne Williams in Townhill

A 33-year-old man has pleaded guilty to the murder of Leanne Williams, whose body was discovered at her home in Gomer Road, Townhill, Swansea, in February.

South Wales Police confirmed that Matthew Battenbough entered a guilty plea at Swansea Crown Court on Friday 15 August. He will be sentenced in October.

Leanne Williams, aged 47, was found dead at her home on the afternoon of Thursday 27 February. A Home Office postmortem revealed significant injuries consistent with an assault.

Police launched a murder investigation and appealed for information about Leanne’s movements between Monday 24 February and the time she was found.

At the time, Detective Superintendent Mark O’Shea of South Wales Police said:

“We are still piecing together Leanne’s last known movements from 6pm on Monday, February 24, to 2.20pm the following Thursday when she was found by officers.

“Anyone who lives in or who has travelled through Gomer Road or surrounding areas during this time are asked to check their private CCTV or dashcam footage for anything that may be relevant. It doesn’t matter how insignificant it may seem.”

A second man arrested during the investigation was released without charge.

Detective Inspector David Butt said of South Wales Police said:

“The news of Leanne’s death was devastating to her family and to the wider communities of Townhill and Swansea.

“Leanne’s family are being supported by specially trained officers. We hope that Matthew Battenbough’s guilty plea will offer them some relief following this traumatic time.”

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