Flats, aquarium and lido: Swansea’s Civic Centre plans move closer as cabinet gives green light

Swansea Council’s cabinet has approved further work to develop the detail of a planning application for the seafront building, which is expected to be submitted later this year.

The council’s regeneration partners Urban Splash are leading the project. Their proposals — which drew large crowds when they went on public display in January — would see the ground and lower ground floors converted into 15 commercial units including cafes, bars and shops, with around 140 apartments on the upper floors.

The plans also include a new aquarium and a saltwater lido on the site, which sits on the seafront between the Swansea Arena and the bay.

Council leader Rob Stewart said the Civic Centre “sits on one of the most spectacular waterfront sites in the UK” and that he wanted to see it become “a vibrant destination with new homes, independent businesses, leisure and community spaces that will benefit local people while attracting more visitors to Swansea.”

He added that the building’s redevelopment was “the first phase of a bigger vision for the overall Civic Centre site, which — once delivered — will further strengthen Swansea’s reputation as a leading waterfront destination.”

Artist’s impression of the proposed City Waterfront district, showing the repurposed Civic Centre building and new seafront public spaces.
(Image: Urban Splash)

Urban Splash development director David Warburton said the company saw “enormous potential” in the site.

He said:

“It’s an extraordinary building in an unrivalled waterfront location, and we see enormous potential to create a place that people will want to live in, visit and spend time in.

“Our ambition is to sensitively repurpose the building, delivering high-quality homes alongside dynamic spaces for independent businesses, hospitality, leisure and community uses — creating activity throughout the day and into the evening.”

The building has been largely empty since council services were moved out to the new Y Storfa hub on Oxford Street, which opened in December. The former BHS building now houses the central library, the contact centre, revenues and benefits, and the West Glamorgan Archive Service — all of which had previously been based at the Civic Centre.

Y Storfa attracted thousands of visitors in its opening weeks, with the council describing the new hub as “busy every day” since its doors opened.

The Civic Centre redevelopment is the first phase of a wider masterplan for the seafront site. It forms part of the council’s broader ‘Future Swansea’ vision for the city centre and waterfront, a draft document published last month that sets out how the council wants the area to develop over the next eight to ten years.

Urban Splash is also behind plans for a new riverside neighbourhood in St Thomas, which would include more than 150 homes. The company specialises in the regeneration of historic and complex buildings across the UK.

A planning application for the Civic Centre is expected to be submitted in the coming months, after which it will be considered by the council’s planning committee.

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