Placemaking

Placemaking is a 'people centred' approach to the planning, design and management of places and spaces. It seeks to create buildings and areas within which people would desire to live, work and spend recreational time.

The importance of Placemaking has been embraced as a cornerstone of the national planning agenda in Wales and the sustainable development objectives which underpin it. This is emphasised by the 2020 Placemaking Charter.

All new development can contribute in some form to the making of places, and influence how that place will be experienced and enjoyed, which will stand as a legacy for future generations of occupants and visitors.

Placemaking and Strategic Planning Policy

The principles of placemaking are embedded in a range of policies in the Swansea LDP. The policies are supported by a suite of Supplementary planning guidance (SPG) which provide guidance on how development of all types and in rural and urban locations can deliver quality, sustainable and healthy places.

Places to Live - Residential Design Guide (PDF, 4 MB)
Infill and Backland - Design Guide (PDF, 3 MB)
A Design Guide for Householder Development (PDF, 1 MB)
Gower AONB Design Guide (PDF, 16 MB)
Shopfront and Commercial Frontage Design Guide (PDF, 3 MB)
Swansea Tall Buildings Strategy (PDF, 4 MB)

Placemaking Charter

Swansea Council has signed up to the Placemaking Charter Wales. As a signatory to the Placemaking Charter this is a pledge to:

• Involve the local community in the development of proposals
• Choose sustainable locations for new development
• Prioritise walking, cycling and public transport
• Create inclusive, well defined, safe and welcoming streets and public spaces
• Promote a sustainable mix of uses to make places vibrant
• Value and respect the positive distinctive qualities and identity of existing places. For more information see Placemaking Charter - Design Commission for Wales (dcfw.org)

Development Management Advice

The placemaking and heritage team provides specialist advice on about 10% of all planning applications. This includes city centre regeneration projects, tall buildings, strategic residential development, town centre proposals and individual houses within the Gower.

It is strongly recommended that proposals are submitted as pre-application enquiries to allow key issues to be explored in a collaborative manner.

Design and Access Statement Requirements

All major planning applications must be accompanied by a Design and Access Statement. The Welsh Government guidance Design and Access Statements in Wales (opens new window) explains when a Design and Access Statement is required and what it should contain.

City Regeneration

Regeneration in the City Centre is guided by the 2016 Swansea Central Area Regeneration Framework.  The placemaking team contributes to the regeneration of the City centre and other areas by providing specialist advice on delivery of improvements to key public areas. This includes advising on the re-visioning of the city centre strategic framework which will set out the principles to guide future changes to the layout and design of the city centre.

Design Commission for Wales

The Design Commission for Wales (opens new window) provides expert impartial advice. This includes a Design Review service. Swansea Council has collaborated with the DCfW over many years which has influenced the design of many successful places.