People living in Swansea are set to have their say on a major new leisure destination on Swansea's Kilvey Hill. A series of drop-in public consultation events have been lined up by Skyline Enterprises in March to share its vision for the attraction, called Skyline Swansea.
The company has said detailed plans will be available for discussion and feedback as it aims to work closely with the local community. The drop-in sessions will take place on Wednesday, March 8, from 3pm until 7pm, at The Village Hotel, on Thursday, March 9, from 3pm until 7pm, at Landore Social Club, and on Friday, March 10, from 10am until 2pm, at Bonymaen Community Centre.
It comes as concerns were raised from local communities about the impact of the major development on access to the area, and the routes of things like cable cars and zip lines. Get Swansea stories straight to your inbox with our newsletter.
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Skyline Enterprises chief executive officer, Geoff McDonald, said: “Skyline Swansea offers a unique opportunity to bring a thrilling and exciting world-class leisure destination to Swansea with a range of all-weather facilities for both locals and visitors alike. It is very important to us that the local community has its say in shaping its direction, enabling us to benefit them whilst delivering an outstanding visitor experience.
“Our proposals will open up Kilvey Hill for all, allowing access to those in Swansea who, for various reasons, may never have been able to previously get up the hill. But we also know the hill is already used and enjoyed by a wide variety of people, so we’re very keen to engage with as many people as possible to make sure our proposals take everyone’s thoughts for the hill into consideration.
"We have a proud track record of working closely with the local communities at all the sites we operate. We want this to work for the people of Swansea so we’re really looking forward to meeting people at the drop-in sessions to listen and answer their questions. Your opinions matter and it’s incredibly important to us that we hear them. If you can, please come along and let us know what you think.”
The proposals for Skyline Swansea will include a cable car running from Landore Park & Ride to the top of Kilvey Hill which does not pass over any homes, food and beverage outlets with viewing platforms across Swansea Bay, a non-motorised gravity-fuelled downhill karting ride known as the Luge, suitable for all ages and a new technology similar to ziplines which is also said to be suitable for all ages.
They will also include the Sky Swing, which promises to give "a rush of adrenaline plus breathtaking views over the city and Swansea Bay which is said to be suitable for all ages". The company has said existing pathways and biking trails would be retained, and new ones created, along with picnic areas, a strong focus on the natural environment, sustainability and biodiversity with tree planting and environmental improvements on the hill, and free and unhindered public access to the entire hill retained and improved without having to use any Skyline facilities.
If planning is approved, Swansea would be the first place in the UK and Europe to join other locations to boast a Skyline Enterprises destination - the company has sites across New Zealand, Canada, Singapore, South Korea and, soon, Malaysia.
Skyline Enterprises general manager for international developments, Danny Luke, said: "We chose Swansea as our first European site due to the uniqueness of Kilvey Hill. After watching the regeneration of the city for some years now, we truly believe the city has the potential to become a leading leisure destination. We’ve worked with cities all over the world and we think Swansea Council has a very clear vision on how they want the city to improve. They want to make Swansea a thriving place to work and live and that’s a vision we believe in and want to be a part of.
“We’ve been successfully delivering what we’re proposing for Swansea for over 50 years, and we think with the help of the people of Swansea, we can create an amazing destination that the whole city can enjoy, benefit from and be proud of.”
The feedback received at the consultation events will help shape final plans which are likely to be submitted for planning in the summer. If approved, preliminary works are anticipated to begin on site towards the end of this year with completion due in 2025. Those who can’t make the drop-in sessions but would like to speak to a member of the Skyline team are being asked to email: Swansea.Development@skylineluge.com
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