A beautiful new look for Castle Square in Swansea city centre is one step closer to coming to fruition, after being approved by Swansea Council in a cabinet meeting on Thursday.
Cabinet members were asked whether they approve of new digital designs - which we revealed last week here - and whether they'd commit council funds to the development over the next two years.
Swansea Council has confirmed the cabinet agreed to the new concept and funding, so plans can now be submitted to the final stage of the planning process for final approval.
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A formal planning process will now take place in summer 2022, with members of the public invited to submit their ideas and thoughts.
If plans are approved at this final stage, construction work would begin promptly - with an aim to have the new gardens in use by late 2023.
The latest plans for Castle Square Gardens show a leafy new look for Castle Square - a far cry from the stone plaza area currently in place and a blast from the past of the beautiful former green district of years gone by.
The design forms part of a new concept for the city centre aimed at revitalising the area thanks to a £1 billion regeneration, alongside the new-look Kingsway, revitalised Wind Street and new Swansea Arena and Copr Bay developments.
Commenting on the proposed design, council leader Rob Stewart said previously: “Our greener, more welcoming Castle Square Gardens will play a key role in Swansea’s big future.
"This 21st Century concept has a keen eye on the location’s green past. People will want to spend more time in Castle Square Gardens, host events there and enjoy its more active, distinctive look. It will be much more family friendly – a Castle Square Gardens for the 21st Century."
What's the plan for Castle Square Gardens?
The new plans include:
- More greenery - The proposed improvements would incorporate new trees (though the existing trees would remain), green roofs, rain gardens and more accessible landscaped areas.
- Two cafe-restaurant pavilions - Swansea Council said one would be located in the current stepped area at Castle Square, whilst the other would be located near the Zara clothing store
- Water jet features - The current water feature would be replaced with a "more active" attraction with water jets at ground level.
- Patterned floor - The new design aims to create a "stronger identity" for Swansea city centre, with a patterned floor using existing stone plus new granite insets
- Modern lighting and digital art features - Whilst the current Big Screen would remain, new modern lighting and digital art features are both planned. Details on these aspects are expected to follow at a later stage
- New seating and outdoor dining areas - The new area could see new seating and outdoor dining areas introduced in Temple Street and Princess Way
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