Work to regenerate one of Wales’ most historic industrial sites is making good headway.
Funding support is helping Swansea Council transform the city’s Hafod-Morfa Copperworks site.
£1.1m has come from the Welsh Government’s Targeted Regeneration and Investment (TRI) Programme 2018-21. This funding will help refurbish former industrial sites in and around the Hafod-Morfa and White Rock sites.
Robert Francis-Davies, the council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “We’re turning the Copperworks area into something of which Swansea will be proud in future.
“Multi-million pound investment is already being made there; this TRI funding will be another enormous help.
“Swansea is a city on the up – the hundreds of millions of pounds being invested around the city are testament to that. As we celebrate our first 50 years as a city, the good news story gets better and better.”
Hannah Blythyn, Welsh Government Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister, said: “This funding will be used to improve the site to attract some exciting businesses and developments to the Copperworks. I’m looking forward to watching it grow and flourish, creating jobs and bringing more investment to Swansea.
“Our flagship Targeted Regeneration Investment programme is providing £100m of capital funding over three years to support regeneration projects in and around town centres across Wales.”
The TRI funding scheme sees Swansea business premises improved to the tune of almost £5m through grant funds.
Existing plans to revitalise the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks site, a former hotbed of industry, include Penderyn Distillery expanding there and work to preserve a series of historic buildings and structures, including the powerhouse. This element is being funded by a successful council application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for a £3.75m grant.
Complementary plans for the area include a cable car and a high-speed zip wire ride from Kilvey Hill.
TRI-funded schemes at the Copperworks include: the removal, restoration and reinstatement of the early 20th century Morfa Bascule Bridge; and the refurbishment of the shell and cores of the Musgrave and Vivian Engine Houses.
Work on both these is already underway.
Funders for the Copperworks schemes include the council, the Welsh Government and historic environment service Cadw.