A car park at a district shopping centre in Swansea is due to start making way for flats next month. Social housing provider Coastal Housing Group will build 15 flats at the pay and display car park bordered by Eversley Road and Vivian Road, Sketty.
It serves the busy Sketty Cross precinct, and some businesses have expressed concerns about a potential loss of footfall. Coastal Housing said up to 19 parking spaces would be retained for public use, including during construction, and that it was looking into bike parking and possible electric vehicle charging points. There will also be dedicated spaces for the flats.
Coastal Housing originally planned to build 17 flats, demolish four commercial units and build two new retail units. This scheme was approved by Swansea Council in 2014, despite vocal opposition, but no work got under way. The demolition and retail elements have now been dropped. You can read more stories about Swansea here.
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James Griffiths, Coastal Housing's head of development, said: "Sketty is a thriving community with lots of popular independent shops and cafes that local people value. Our revised plans for this site are designed to minimise disruption to local people and businesses, whilst delivering on our commitment to provide more homes." The social housing group said a “meet the builder” event was proposed for early July, where updates would be given.
Vicky Stokes, the owner of Sketty Kwik Wash, Gower Road, said she counted around 45 cars at the pay and display car park last Friday. She feared the net loss in parking could "knock the businesses senseless", although she said she appreciated that low-cost homes were needed.
Leanne Lewis, of Davies of Mumbles bakers, Eversley Road, said Sketty "does struggle for parking". But she said she hoped the business would benefit from contractors during construction of the flats and then pick up trade from the new occupiers.
Thomas Tyrrell-Howell, the owner of Dilly's Kitchen, Dillwyn Road, said he didn't expect a negative impact for his business, the Vivian Arms pub, or the new 47 Bar and Lounge across the road. "There are enough parking spaces around Sketty," he said.
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