Work to transform a stretch of the River Tawe into a bustling riverside community is finally getting under way.
Earth movers are preparing a site off New Cut Road in readiness for a Bellway Homes development.
The house builder has permission, with conditions, to build 106 houses and flats at the former Unit Superheater Engineering site.
A Bellway Homes spokesman said: "We have started work on the site. Land is being prepared. We hope to start the first phase of the development in mid-July."
The work could be the opening salvo in a bigger initiative — the Tawe Riverside Corridor Strategy — to redevelop the river's west bank, linking the Liberty Stadium with the city centre.
This strategy was adopted by Swansea Council five years ago, and also aims to take into account the area's industrial heritage.
Bellway's plans comprise 59 two and three-storey houses, 38 flats in three blocks, plus nine flats built above garages.
Another developer, Watkin Jones, has plans to build accommodation blocks for 967 students at the same 8.5-acre site.
Further along the river towards the stadium, planning permission has been granted for 52 three-storey houses and 84 flats in five-storey blocks at the Bernard Hastie site, off Morfa Road.
Last March the council approved a scheme for a new road — effectively an extension of Morfa Road — which would run parallel with the dedicated bus lane and busy Neath Road.
It is understood developers will contribute to this new road.
Hafod councillor Rob Speht said the road would either connect with the Landore park and ride site or cross a new bridge and link up with the White Rock roundabout.
Mr Speht welcomed news of the Bellway Homes ground preparation work off New Cut Road.
"It's great to get some development there," said the Liberal Democrat councillor. "It's the first step to an extension of Morfa Road, which will relieve the traffic through Hafod."
In January this year the council and Swansea University joined forces to look at ways of redeveloping the old Hafod Copperworks site.
The two have entered into a "memorandum of understanding", and the university was named as the council's "preferred" development partner for the next 12 months.
The university held a Copper Day at Hafod, and other venues, on March 5.
South Wales Evening Post - Thursday, 12 May, 2011.
