South Wales Evening Post - 9 January 2009
DELAYS have hit a major student development planned for the tatty banks of the River Tawe.
But developers insist they have every intention of going ahead with the plan.
Last August, Swansea planning chiefs gave the green light for accommodation blocks off Morfa Road for up to 967 students.
The site, formerly Unit Superheater Engineering, had been cleared in preparation for the development.
The new £65 million to £70 million scheme also comprised up to 300 residential units, which have been given outline planning permission.
A spokesman for the developers said last September that they were targeting the start of construction by the end of 2008.
But delays are now inevitable because of the credit crunch, which has hit construction particularly hard.
Andrew Cox, of Savills, which submitted the planning applications on behalf of developers DFWJ and Unit Holdings, said yesterday: "DFWJ has every intention of going forward with the development.
"Given the current economic climate, it needs to examine the timing and funding.
"More information will be available during the coming months."
The student accommodation was part of a wider development proposed for the site by Unit Holdings, he added, which could include apartments, offices, a hotel, shops and cafes.
"It already has planning permission for 300 apartments. Other uses would be subject to planning approval," said Mr Cox.
The scheme is expected to create a new community of more than 1,500 students and residents, with 137 construction jobs and 32 permanent jobs, according to the planning brief.
A separate scheme for 91 houses and 134 apartments has also been proposed for the west bank of the River Tawe at the current Bernard Hastie & Co headquarters.
Both schemes fit into the council's Tawe Riverside Corridor strategy, outlining "a modern and vibrant riverside urban area" linking the Liberty Stadium area with SA1.
More riverbank development is proposed at the old Hafod Copperworks site.
A council spokesman said: "This promises to be an exciting scheme that will help regenerate the area while celebrating its rich heritage.
"A draft proposal of works for the site will follow once the marketing strategy is complete."
