Have your say on Castle Square’s future

People are being encouraged to have their say on the future of Swansea’s Castle Square.

Due to the square’s status as public land, Swansea Council has now published a Public Open Space Notice in the build-up to the consideration of potential development and environmental improvements there.

The council is also preparing a marketing brief for Castle Square that will set out its requirements in terms of greening, quality of the environment, links with other parts of the city centre, provision for events and provision of public access at all times.

Any possible preferred scheme in future would be subject to Cabinet approval and public consultation, while the council could also consider options for redeveloping Castle Square itself.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “Castle Square has an important role to play in the kind of thriving, regenerated city centre that we’re determined to deliver. We feel it has the potential to be transformed into a vibrant city park, complete with more greenery and the opportunity for restaurants and cafés, but its continued availability for public access and events is also key to our thinking.

“The square, as highlighted by the recent Wales games at Euro 2016 shown on the big screen, is a popular place for people to meet, relax and enjoy events, so we don’t want that to stop. But what we do want is to bring the square, which is looking tired, into the 21st century by developing options that will combine public access and events with facilities that meets people’s aspirations, attract crowds into the city centre and make the most of the square’s proximity to our historic castle.

“It’s our aspiration to bring back the charm and appeal of the former Castle Gardens while making it a great destination that complements the new city centre we’re already making progress on delivering.

“When specific proposals come forward in future, residents will again be asked for their feedback because we recognise the special place Castle Square has in many people’s hearts.”

People can comment on the Public Open Space Notice until Thursday August 18. Objections must be made in writing and addressed to Tracey Meredith, Deputy Head of Legal and Democratic Services, Swansea Council, the Civic Centre, Oystermouth Road, Swansea, SA1 3SN, using a reference of WP/DVP-00218600.

More information and a plan are also now available in the Civic Centre’s ground floor foyer area.