St David’s plans set for green light

Plans for the redevelopment of the St David’s site in Swansea, including an indoor arena, shops and restaurants, are set to be approved at a planning committee meeting.Rivington Land is managing the development of the site, which includes the former St David’s shopping centre and the LC car park, for Swansea Council after winning a bid last year.Its proposals cover the refurbishment, alteration or demolition of all existing buildings and structures on the north side of Oystermouth Road, with the exception of St Mary’s Church and St David’s Church.Up to 905,000 sq ft of space, including retail, commercial, office, residential and leisure uses, will be created, as well as a multi-storey park. The tallest building on this site will be no higher seven storeys.On the south side of Oystermouth Road, up to 440,000 sq ft is proposed, including a new digital indoor arena, a hotel or residential building of up to 13 storeys, food and drink businesses, and an undercroft car park.The new arena is expected to be a “landmark building and significant regional destination” that will bring in visitors for concerts, events and conferences.A new pedestrian link bridge over Oystermouth Road is also planned.The development could create between 1,045 and 1,108 full-time equivalent jobs and represent a gross value added (GVA) to the local economy of between £35.2m and £37.3m annually.Swansea Council’s planning committee will discuss the application tomorrow (6 June 2017) and it is recommended for approval in a report prepared for the meeting.The recommendation comes despite objections from Swansea Market traders, over the loss of the entrance linking the market and the Quadrant Centre, and LC Leisure, which is concerned about the impact on the waterpark.