Innovation corridor vision for Swansea’s Fabian Way

A draft document being considered by Swansea Council and Neath Port Talbot Council is calling for a more integrated approach to planning along the route.

The draft joint planning guidance document was prepared by both Councils. It will be reported to Swansea Council’s planning committee on Tuesday October 13 and then to Neath Port Talbot’s Economic and Community Regeneration Board on October 23 to seek permission to consult with the public.

The detailed document sets out the joint vision of both councils and their objectives for this important corridor, ensuring a more co-ordinated approach to planning along Fabian Way, while making the most of the opportunities that will come from existing and emerging developments. These include the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon, Swansea University’s Bay Campus, the Bay Studios and the University of Wales Trinity St David’s plans for a new waterfront campus in SA1.

The draft masterplan framework aims to support the development of a knowledge economy cluster along Fabian Way that would complement the city centre’s regeneration, create new jobs and boost economic prosperity across the Swansea Bay City Region as a whole.

Measures included in the draft document also aim to support the potential future expansion of both universities and the possible arrival of new research, development and high technology companies looking to locate close to the universities and the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Regeneration, said: “The opening of Swansea University’s new campus, along with the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon development and the University of Wales Trinity St David’s plans for SA1, means there’s a game-changing opportunity to transform Fabian Way into an innovation corridor that will greatly benefit local people and the Swansea Bay City Region as a whole.

“The investment we’re anticipating won’t just create jobs and further put Swansea on the map as a city of innovation – it will also help improve infrastructure and greatly enhance the appearance of a key gateway in and out of the city.

“But to realise our vision, it’s clear that we need an integrated approach to planning to co-ordinate the re-use of derelict sites, maximise the benefits of each site, overcome site constraints and ensure the benefits of regeneration are also felt to the north of the area in communities like St Thomas and Port Tennant. If development proposals in future were uncoordinated, it could put the long-term regeneration of the corridor at risk.”

Cllr Ali Thomas, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, said: “Fabian Way is evolving into an important business corridor at the gateway to the Swansea Bay City Region.

“We are working jointly with Swansea Council to achieve a properly integrated approach to planning for the whole of this area.

“Opportunities such as the new Bay Campus only come along once in a lifetime. We are committed to working together to make the most of these developments to benefit communities and businesses in the whole of the region.”

Comprehensive consultation will soon take place to allow residents, businesses, landowners and anyone interested in the proposals to help shape the final document.

The Fabian Way corridor stretches for 5km along the A483 Fabian Way, which forms the eastern gateway road approach to Swansea city centre from junction 42 of the M4. It covers an area from the Amazon roundabout in Neath Port Talbot to the eastern bank of Swansea’s River Tawe.