One of the last remaining relics of Swansea's copper industry could soon be converted into apartments.
Housing developer Barratt Homes South Wales has been granted listed building consent to convert a former copper smelting hall at the Upper Bank Copper Works into 12 two-bedroom apartments.
The smelting hall is a grade two listed building which was part of the original copper works established at the site in 1755.
Barratt Homes was granted permission to develop the site of the former copper works for housing in September 2006.
The smelting hall is the last remaining building at the works which have now, along with the former Addis factory, been completely demolished to make way for Barratt's development, known as Copper Quarter.
According to Barratt Homes, which is now selling one, two and three-bed homes at the former copper works, the whole of the site has been the subject of an extensive archaeological investigation.
A spokesman for the firm told Swansea Council: "Swansea was the world centre of copper smelting during the industrial revolution, but most of the physical structures of this great industry have long been demolished or hidden by later development.
"A new housing development on brownfield land in 2007 and 2008 gave an exceptional opportunity to reveal the hidden heritage of the copper industry at the site of the Upper Bank smelting works established in 1755."
Swansea Museum curator Garethe El Tawab welcomed news the smelting hall would be retained for housing.
She said: "With the economic situation the way it is, so few developers have the finance needed to develop a site and take on all the archaeology that is necessary to support these buildings.
"Swansea turned from a relatively small settlement into a massive industrial centre just because of copper coming in and coal going out."
And the area is set to feature in a new leisure attraction planned soon on the River Tawe.
Swansea Community Boat Trust has a 23-tonne barge, The Black Prince, which will carry passengers on trips from the marina to a bridge near the Liberty.
Onboard guides will tell passengers about the Tawe's central importance to Swansea's industrial rise.
The Black Prince will have displays and drawings illustrating, among other things, the docks in Victorian times, medieval ships and the legendary Copperopolis era.
The barge has capacity for 50 passengers and was bought thanks to a £40,000 grant from Visit Wales. Money has also come from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and local companies. Two-hour trips are planned.
South Wales Evening Post - 14th November 2011
