A new block of 104 riverside flats is currently under construction in Swansea, overlooking the River Tawe and Swansea Marina. The development, located off Kings Road near the Sail Bridge, is being managed by housing association Coastal Housing Group. The flats will be rented out at below market rates to provide affordable housing options for residents. The project is being partly funded by the Welsh Government and is the first development in south-west Wales by Everwell Development.
The four-to-six-storey block will not only offer residential spaces but also ground-floor commercial premises. Additionally, the development will include 93 car parking spaces and bike parking facilities. Plans for the development were approved by Swansea Council’s planning committee in November of last year. The red-bricked block is designed to complement the surrounding area, with the restored Ice House on one side and the J-Shed building to the rear.
Kelvin Rees, Coastal Housing’s head of development, highlighted the prime location of the flats in Swansea’s waterfront area, describing it as “an incredible location.” Charlie Parry, chief executive of Everwell Development, emphasized the importance of the project in meeting the community’s housing needs. He stated, “Together we’re not just building housing but creating thriving inclusive communities where people can truly belong.”
Notably, previous plans for a block of 91 flats with 91 parking spaces in the private sector were approved but not realised. Concerns have been raised about the provision of 93 parking spaces for the new block of 104 flats, particularly in an area where parking is already challenging. However, a planning officer reassured the council planning committee that the parking arrangements for the development were deemed satisfactory, despite standards being below the usual requirements in the SA1 area.
Work on the construction of the new riverside flats is expected to take approximately three years to complete. The project aims to contribute to the ongoing development of Swansea’s waterfront area, providing much-needed affordable housing options for residents.