Council announces depot relocation plans

Swansea Council’s Pipehouse wharf depot is located next to the St David’s student accommodation on the junction of New Cut Road and Morfa Road. It is used as a vehicle storage and refuelling depot for its waste and recycling vehicles.

The Home Farm depot is within Singleton Park and is used primarily by the council’s parks and cleansing teams.

The council has announced plans to vacate both depots and relocate to a new facility on Alberto Road in the Enterprise Park.

The Enterprise Park location was formally used by beauty and cosmetics company Alberto-Culver, who pulled out of the 18.75 acre site in 2012 following its take-over by conglomerate Unilever.

The council sold its freehold interest in the Alberto-Culver site in 2015 to the Dr Organic Group, a South Wales-based cosmetics company founded by local entrepreneurs Steve Quinn and Fred Whitcomb.

The council now plans to share the location with Dr Organic following its decision to reacquire the site.

A spokesperson from Swansea Council said: “We have agreed to acquire a site at Alberto Road on the Enterprise Park which will allow not only the relocation out of the current Pipehouse Wharf and Home Farm depots but also enables its ongoing use by Dr Organics, a long standing and important Swansea business.

“No decision has been taken about the future use of Pipehouse Wharf and Home Farm and it will take some time to vacate these sites to ensure services are not disrupted.

“We are talking to staff at these sites to minimise any impact.”

The council has previously mooted plans for redeveloping its Home Farm depot site in Singleton Park, which also includes a Grade II listed farmhouse.

A cabinet report in 2019 said there was an opportunity a heritage-based development at Home Farm, including 42 houses, to safeguard the site – although none of the parkland itself would be touched.

The proposal sparked fierce debate and opposition and was eventually put on hold.

Coastal Housing has previously expressed an interest in the council’s Pipehouse Wharf depot, proposing a development of 150 homes on the 4.33-acre River Tawe site in 2017.

These plans were not progressed however, although nearby regeneration has continued, particularly with the construction of the new True Student student accommodation blocks further along Morfa Road.

#DrOrganic #EnterprisePark #HomeFarm #PipehouseWharf #SingletonPark #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil

Singleton Park goes Jurassic: New creature feature installed

The creatures are the latest feature of the iconic family park and they have been installed just in time for the Easter holidays.

It’s thanks to a generous donation from Day’s Motor Group, Wales’ largest family-run dealer group, which means the park will now be home to these colossal creatures, including a Tyrannosaurus Rex, Triceratops, and Stegosaurus.

Swansea Council brought in popular local mural artist Hasan Kamil to apply some Jurassic colour to make the creatures more realistic looking for all the family to enjoy.

The council says the installation promises to elevate Singleton Park’s status as a prime destination for families and dinosaur enthusiasts alike, whilst also providing educational opportunities related to the fascinating world of dinosaurs and palaeontology.

Any temporary disruption to the park will be rectified after the installation has been completed.

The dinosaurs are the latest addition to a range of improvements to the park which have included improving water quality and increasing oxygen levels in the lake to boost the environment in the lake for fish, amphibians and invertebrates through non-invasive de-silting.

Other improvements include creating a new learning area called Nature Corner at the Lake, new information boards highlighting the area’s local wildlife, improved drainage at the park, improvements to the crazy golf course and upgrades for the pedalos.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration, Events and Tourism at Swansea Council, said: “The four new residents of Singleton Park will make a great addition to the attractions at the boating lake.

“Families will love discovering these prehistoric creatures while exploring the park, and they’re sure to become a roaring success. A big thank you to Day’s Motor Group for this donation.”

He added: “We took advice from ecological experts about how best to improve conditions for wildlife at the lake and surrounding area. Their review showed fish, amphibians and invertebrates would benefit from the non-invasive de-silting approach we’ve taken.

“Any temporary disruption will be rectified and the popular local gees community has been unaffected by the changes.”

An investment agreed by council at its budget meeting last month also means that sections of railings around the park will also be upgraded.

Russ Day. Managing Director and CEO, Day’s Motor Group, said: “Day’s are delighted to be able to donate our iconic Dinosaurs to Swansea Council to help create an attraction in Singleton Park.

“This donation reinforces Day’s commitment to community support and collaboration with the great team at Swansea Council.”

(Lead image: Swansea Council)

#DaysMotorGroup #Dinosaurs #featured #SingletonPark #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil

Police increase Singleton Park presence after flasher strikes twice

The incidents took place at the Sketty Hall side of the park, which is near Bishop Gore comprehensive school.

The unidentified man reportedly ran off after exposing himself, before police arrived.

Police say their enquiries are ongoing in efforts to identify the man

A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: “We have received two reports in recent weeks of indecent exposure involving a man at the Sketty Hall side of Singleton Park. The most recent report was received on Saturday, March 22.

“Enquiries are currently ongoing to identify the man, who has departed the scene prior to officers’ arrival. There will be an increased policing presence in the area while this investigation is taking place. Anyone who witnesses such behaviour should report it to 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.”

#indecentExposure #SingletonPark #Sketty #SouthWalesPolice #Swansea

Singleton Park to get upgraded boating lake and giant dinosaurs

The council say that work is due to start this month and will take several weeks, during which time the area will remain open to all.

Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “Our parks are loved by residents and visitors – and the boating lake area is a big favourite.

“We’ve recently improved the crazy golf course there, plan to introduce four giant model dinosaurs and, last year, introduced new pedaloes. We updated the play area in 2021.

“The result of our work over the coming weeks will be a cleaner lake for wildlife and recreation, deeper water for boats and more opportunities for education.”

The council say that improvements to the boating lake over the coming weeks will include the removal of silt, mud and other materials that has accumulated in the lake over time, the creation of an outdoor education area and the installation of three wildlife information boards.

The learning area will be put up near the lake’s landing area. Groups will be able to sit and learn there. 

The information boards will be placed around the lake showcasing details of the local wildlife, promoting education and engaging with visitors interested in nature.

Funding for the new work comes from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund and the Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature grant.

(Lead image: Swansea Council)

#SingletonPark #SingletonParkBoatingLake #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #UKSharedProsperityFund

Happy misty, damp Thurs. 😊👋
But fear not…Spring isn’t far away. Here are some bloomin snowdrops..
#snowdrops
#signsofspring
#SingletonPark
#Swansea #Abertawe

Snowdrops pushing up already. Happy New Year folks 😊👋✌️
Peace, love and nurture nature 🕊️
#snowdrops
#Swansea
#SingletonPark