Unanimous planning permission has been given for a new four-storey public sector hub building at the former St David’s Shopping Centre site in Swansea.
The development, designed by shedkm for Urban Splash and Swansea Council, will include commercial floor space for shops and restaurants, with the Council occupying office space above with a range of other public sector partners. The hub forms the first phase of the overall site’s redevelopment, within a wider masterplan as part of the city centre regeneration to boost footfall and support traders.
Key design features:
- Space requirements have been outlined to maximise:
- efficiencies whilst seeking to achieve exemplar standards for well-being
- levels of daylight and sunlight
- generous floor to ceiling heights
- multi-tenant flexibility
- BREEAM Excellent building, led by LETI guidance for commercial design.
- Low carbon, fabric first, passive cooling building with green energy solutions.
- Carbon offset through tree cover and planting whilst creating new habitats.
Through extensive community consultations, local authority planning team engagement, stakeholder advice, council leader presentations and development manager guidance, the design is a result of a collaborative process. It incorporates the needs and requirements of the building’s end users and its prominent location within the masterplan, whilst complying with the parameters set out in the consented ACME masterplan.
Alex Flint, shedkm Director, said: “We’re excited to be working on both our first project in Wales and our very first council hub, bringing our years of experience in creating best in class offices and sustainable urban renewal to Swansea.
“The unanimous planning decision is testament to our collaboration with Urban Splash and the Council and we’re delighted to hear that our designs, which meet ambitious standards, have been given the green light.”
Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “The public sector hub will help generate more footfall in the city centre, which will boost our existing traders and help attract more investment in future.
“This is just one feature of an overall plan for the redevelopment of the former St David’s Shopping Centre site though, so we’ll continue to work with Urban Splash on other proposals for the site that will be announced as soon as they’re ready for feedback.
“Our plans for this development site are part of a £1bn regeneration programme that’s unfolding in Swansea to benefit our residents and businesses. This shows how committed we are to creating jobs and high-quality facilities as Swansea is transformed into one of the UK’s best cities to live, work, enjoy, study and visit.
“Alongside our partners in the private sector and others, this work is bearing fruit. Swansea’s economy is projected to be the seventh fastest growing in the UK next year, which is testament to all that’s been achieved so far and our plans for the future.”
David Warburton, Urban Splash Development Director, said: “We’re delighted to have secured planning approval, which clears the way for a vibrant new commercial hub in Swansea.
“Our vision is to create a space that serves both the community and the local economy, offering high-quality amenities, dynamic workspaces, and a place where people can connect and collaborate.
“This building is set to create new job opportunities and inject fresh energy into the city centre, supporting Swansea’s growth as a forward-thinking, thriving urban environment.”
The building is shedkm’s first project in Wales and first council hub. The architects have a long history of collaborating with Urban Splash on projects such as Matchworks and Fort Dunlop.
Construction work on the public sector hub is anticipated to start in 2025.