Greengage are very pleased to have provided sustainability support to Swansea Council, Rivington Hark and the Development Team on the Swansea City Centre redevelopment since the concept design stage. The proposed mixed-use development, which aims to transform Swansea City Centre, has recently been granted outline planning permission.
The development comprises the demolition of the existing structures and redevelopment of the site to provide retail, commercial, office and leisure use as well as a hotel and residential dwellings. Extensive areas of public realm including a new urban parkland and associated landscaping are also included in the proposals.
Greengage were commissioned by the Council of the City and County of Swansea to provide sustainability services for the project. The aim was not only to deliver a sustainable scheme that was environmentally sensitive but a scheme that also maximises the opportunities to benefit the local and wider community.
The development represents Phase 1 of the City Centre improvement works. This includes the delivery of a 3,500-capacity arena, a city park, digital square, pedestrian bridge, car parking, residential and restaurant/retail. Full details of how Phase 1 integrates with the wider planned improvements can be reviewed here.
Greengage are working with the design team to ensure that sustainability is integrated into the development. The basis for this is the Welsh Wellbeing of Future Generations Act and its seven Wellbeing Goals. The new arena building will be certified against the BREEAM criteria and the whole project has been designed against site specific benchmarks as agreed with Swansea council.
Some key targets for the site included:
- Improved sustainable transport access and connectivity
- Comprehensive biodiversity enhancement strategy
- Integration of SuDS features to improve sustainable drainage.
- Inclusive accessibility and provision of natural play features
- Maximising material efficiency, waste diversion from landfill and a focus on local procurement.
Greengage look forward to the next phase of the development, working with the client team and appointed contractor, Buckingham Group, to ensure that the sustainability aspirations of the development are delivered.
