These striking images show what the former Castle Cinema building in Swansea city centre could look like, if a future planning application is approved. Easy Living Ltd, based in Cardiff, has commissioned Swansea-based Asbri Planning Ltd to explore options for the redevelopment of the site to transform it into commercial units and apartments.
The planning company has confirmed Easy Living Ltd intends to apply to Swansea Council to redevelop the Grade II-listed building into a "mixed use scheme of commercial units and residential apartments consisting of refurbishment, extension and associated works" and has shared early plans and initial images with the public.
The plans have not been formally submitted to Swansea Council yet, but do offer an insight into what we could see at the location adjacent to the grounds of Swansea Castle. If approved in the near future, the development would be carried out by Easy Living with Coastal Housing as partner, planners have confirmed to WalesOnline. For more Swansea stories, go to the Swansea section of our website.
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Castle and Central Cinemas Ltd opened Castle Cinema in Worcester Place, Swansea, back in December, 1913. Around 50 years later, in 1967, it was modernised, before it changed hands in the 1970s and was taken over by Welmore Cinema Co. Ltd.
Unfortunately, they closed the cinema in 1983 - although it did re-open later that same year. By 1991, however, the cinema was closed for good - and was later converted into a laser-tag centre, which it continues to house today.
Last year, the building was put up for sale and sellers noted that planning permission had previously been granted for turning the building into student housing - though these works never got off the ground.
Also last year, a pre-planning application enquiry was submitted to Swansea Council, detailing a proposal for 43 residential homes and commercial units to be built on the site - but this proposal was rejected in January, 2022, and after guidance from the local authority, was revised to 30 residential apartments.
Further changes to earlier plans include reducing the proposed redevelopment of the building from eight storeys to six storeys and changing the front façade of the building to incorporate a glass-fronted unit, suitable for a shop or restaurant, as suggested in design images.
Interestingly, the new plans for Castle Cinema's redevelopment come just a few months after a fresh new look for Swansea's Castle Square was revealed. The area is set to be remodelled over the next year or so - with a view to returning it to its former glory.
Castle Square used to be filled with more greenery than we see today, with lawned areas and flower beds acting as a backdrop to the retail shops in Oxford Street. This look was overhauled and replaced by the stark stone square we see today, but members of the public expressed a wish in an earlier consultation on a potential revamp to see more tress, grass and greenery at the site. For more on Swansea Council's plans to rework the area, you can recap our previous coverage here.
What do the pre-planning documents say?
In pre-planning documents entitled "proposed change of use and renovation of Castle Cinema, Swansea" shared publicly online this month, planners mark out how they would divide the building into different apartments, if planning permission was granted.
Pre-planning documents specify there would be a total of 30 apartments built in the complex: a mixture of four, two-bedroom, four-person apartments, nine, two-bedroom, three-person apartments and 17, one-bedroom, two-person apartments. Proposed floor plans also reveal there would be an extension to the "lobby" area of the complex, a cleaners' storage area, a bike storage area - and a 220 square-metre commercial space. This has been designed as a restaurant in the design images, but could easily be a shop or other commercial unit, planners told WalesOnline.
Detailing what their "vision" is for the planned development, pre-planning documents state: "The proposal includes redevelopment of the site in order to create an attractive mixed-use scheme of commercial units and 30 residential apartments through a combination of partial alteration, refurbishment and extension of the existing building.
"The vision for the site is to create high quality residential accommodation for the modernised Swansea City Centre to develop upon the existing stock and provide a contemporary appearance that is similar to adjacent buildings and those throughout Swansea City Centre.
"The site is in a prime City Centre location with close connections to various forms of public transport including being within walking distance to Swansea Train Station and Swansea City bus station. The highly sustainable location will provide the opportunity for future residence in the heart of the city supporting the vitality of the city.
They add: "The site is currently occupied as a laser gun combat—game and assault course called the Laserzone. The building has developed dilapidated over a number of years and now requires investment to ensure its longevity and is brought into an exciting use. The building has been included in the register of listed buildings at 'risk' and without a new and viable use the building will not be restored and preserved for the future."
Do you have views you want to share with the planning company about this proposed redevelopment? You can submit your responses directly to planners by filling in the 'Response Form' here.
Plus, you can share your views with fellow readers and members of the community in our comments section below and by answering our poll
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