Swansea councillors didn’t feel the need to discuss the application and went straight to the vote
Plans to create new apartments overlooking Swansea’s Castle Square have been unanimously approved. They will take shape on empty upper floors of the block which has a McDonald’s and Taco Bell, both of which will be retained although McDonald’s will occupy basement and groundfloor level rather than ground and first floor as it does currently.
A report before Swansea Council’s planning committee said 29 one and two-bedroom flats will be set out across five floors.
The development includes an extension facing towards Swansea Minster, formerly St Mary’s Church, a new ground floor commercial unit, a green roof, new cladding and a gym/leisure area on the first floor for people living in the flats. Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here
A report before the committee said: “Proposals that provide good quality city living in a sustainable central location are welcomed.”
An existing substation and bin area will be relocated as part of the scheme and a bike store added for residents.
A planning officer said the development on the corner of Princess Way and Oxford Street would be “a great improvement to the city centre” and that a delivery yard at the rear serving existing businesses had been considered in great depth.
Planning agent Phil Baxter, speaking on behalf of applicants Kartay Holdings Ltd, said the development would repurpose a building “in dire need of updating” and that the company had been discussions with the council about the project for more than two years.
Committee members didn’t feel the need to discuss the application, which officers recommended for approval, and went straight to the vote.
Kartay Holdings Ltd is behind the new Princess Quarter office and commercial development further along Princess Way and is also revamping a block on Oxford Street, delivering new-look retail units and apartments above.
Separate work on behalf of the council to regenerate Castle Square is under way, and the new central library and archives building – Y Storfa – has recently opened on the corner of Princess Way and Oxford Street.