Cu@Swansea

The regeneration of Hafod Copperworks

Prof Huw Bowen-Swansea University

Huw Mowbray – City & County of Swansea

The Swansea Copper Industry

• Copperopolis: economy and society

• Copperopolis: the built environment

• The first globally integrated heavy industry

• The Lower Swansea Valley Project, 1961-2011

• 173 copper-related sites of international significance

• The Hafod Copperworks, 1811-2011

CITY AND COUNTY OF SWANSEA • DINAS A SIR ABERTAWE

The Perceptions 1850“It came to pass in the days of yore,

the devil chanced upon Landore

quoths he – by all this fume and stink

I can’t be far from home, I think”

CITY AND COUNTY OF SWANSEA • DINAS A SIR ABERTAWE

The Perceptions 2011

• Heritage is a barrier to regenerating the site.

• Heritage is a constraint on development.

• Listed buildings are difficult to deal with.

• We will have to demolish the buildings as any scheme is not economically viable with them.

However - People value heritage.

CITY AND COUNTY OF SWANSEA • DINAS A SIR ABERTAWE

The ChallengeThe challenge is:-

• to be able to see beyond the sites constraints and bring vision and innovation to the project.

• to find solutions to ensure that the project delivers what developers, occupiers, owners and the local community want.

• to ensure that not only quantative outputs is considered but also demonstrate that the more subjective qualitative evidence that mind sets as well as markets have been changed.

• to identify the right mix of uses and key tenants.

• to make the economic case sustainable to create sufficient value to meet the cost of refurbishment, a return to the owner/developer and provide an income to maintain the buildings and public realm.

• Mainstreaming Heritage projects

CITY AND COUNTY OF SWANSEA • DINAS A SIR ABERTAWE

The Benefits of Heritage Regeneration• The Heritage Lottery Fund published visitor spend for each

English Regional Development agency following major HLF investments – Visitor spend doubled.

• Regeneration of local buildings reinforces a sense of community, contributes to the economy and is a catalyst for development of the wider area.

• Distinctiveness - buildings are one of the most tangible manifestations of local history, a key determinant of character and identity.

• Creates Inward Investment and Tourism spend.

• Embedded Carbon – re use of buildings

CITY AND COUNTY OF SWANSEA • DINAS A SIR ABERTAWE

Heritage Regeneration Good Practice

• Create the right partnership • Establish a clear set of objectives and realistic

business financial and heritage expectations through a Project Plan.

• Establish Planning Policy Position Reflecting both Regeneration and heritage objectives

• Characterisation - Cadw at cutting edge.• Prepare master plan.• Explore deliver vehicles –Public sector,

Community Trusts Private sector.• Funding Strategy.• Events/Branding – Copper Day, Time Team

CITY AND COUNTY OF SWANSEA • DINAS A SIR ABERTAWE

Hafod Copper Works• 12.75 acres• 14 listed

structures• Waterfront

location.• Adjacent to Liberty

Stadium.• Immediately

adjacent to Landore Park & Ride.

CITY AND COUNTY OF SWANSEA • DINAS A SIR ABERTAWE

Hafod Copper Works Developers Dream?

CITY AND COUNTY OF SWANSEA • DINAS A SIR ABERTAWE

The Hafod Copper Works

Lime Kiln Laboratory Building

CanteenEngine House

CITY AND COUNTY OF SWANSEA • DINAS A SIR ABERTAWE

Hafod Copper Works – The challenge

•14 listed features.

•Buildings close to collapse.

•Musgrave engine house.

•Unknown level of underground archaeology

•Highly contaminated.

All significant risks.

CITY AND COUNTY OF SWANSEA • DINAS A SIR ABERTAWE

Opportunity marketed - No private sector interest.

Issue : Cost of dealing with Heritage sites. Adjacent site cost developer £3.5m Hafod has potentially more!

Therefore:- The risks are currently too great for

private sector!

The Hafod Copper Works- The Challenge

CITY AND COUNTY OF SWANSEA • DINAS A SIR ABERTAWE

Hafod Copper Works – Approach

• The private sector will not rise to the challenge of this site with this level of risk.

• If the buildings are to be saved then the public sector must take the lead and initially take the site forward and de-risk the project to a point where private sector interest can be stimulated.

• An element of grant funding is critical.

CITY AND COUNTY OF SWANSEA • DINAS A SIR ABERTAWE

Hafod Copper Works – Delivery Where are we now

• CCS/Swansea University Partnership in place.

• Project Team in Place with representation from CCS/Uni/WAG/Cadw/RCAMW.

• A Project Brief and action plan has been prepared.

• Press - Copper Day 5th March

• A long way to go but sound foundations have been laid.

CITY AND COUNTY OF SWANSEA • DINAS A SIR ABERTAWE

Making it all Happen• Heritage regeneration wont happen by

accident.• Need for an organised and realistic

partnership which will properly plan delivery.

• Grant funding an essential early pump primer. University.

• We need to respect and use our heritage as a driver for inward investment, tourism & communities.

Hafod Copper works provides a real opportunity to achieve this.

CITY AND COUNTY OF SWANSEA • DINAS A SIR ABERTAWE

Swansea Castle - Opportunity•Scheduled ancient monument.

•Three storey building

•A significant regeneration opportunity.

•Potential for a high impact project.

•Partnership working. CCS/Cadw

•Neighbouring future development sites.

Park Tawe

City Centre

Castle Lane.

CITY AND COUNTY OF SWANSEA • DINAS A SIR ABERTAWE

Swansea Castle•Unlock.

•Interpret.

•Engage people.

•Enable new activities.

•Potential for a mix of outdoor and indoor uses

and events.

•Provide visitor facilities.

•Improve economic sustainability.

•Integrate with the City Centre