Net is cast across the globe to attract seaside developers
THE charms of Mumbles Pier and headland are being used to attract potential developers from around the world.
Swansea Council has already given the green light to outline planning permission for a 70-bed hotel and an apartment block on land near the popular 1898 Victorian landmark pier.
The idea to redevelop the headland on the far sweep of Swansea Bay was hatched by the Bollom family, who have owned and operated the site for more than 70 years.
The Bolloms claim that a major redevelopment was the only way of funding a much-needed £3.5 million restoration of the pier.
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Their plans also involved a brand new state- of-the-art lifeboat station.
Wide-reaching sales specialist Savills has been brought in to help market the opportunity.
One of their first moves was to place pictures of the area on the internet.
A spokeswoman for Savills, who describes the opportunity as "an exceptional mixed use development opportunity" said: "We have had a fair amount of interest in it, but it really is very early days as it has only been advertised this week. Our website can be viewed around the world so we are hoping that interest will be global."
She added that a cut off date had not been set yet as the level of interest in the site was still being evaluated.
There was initial confusion when the pier was first placed on the web as it was thought that the pier itself was being put up for sale (as it indeed was several years ago when it was offered to the council for a token fee — but the cost of maintenance and repairs proved prohibitive) until it was explained that the parcel of land is known as Mumbles Pier and Foreshore.
A spokesman for the Bollom family stated that formal marketing of the sites was considered necessary after a number of expressions of interest were received.
He said: "We have spoken to a number of potential developers, some of whom have international experience. From the wide range of the ideas presented to us, it became clear that we needed to conduct a formal tendering exercise.
"This will allow the best value scheme to emerge but also enable potential developers to think through some exciting design options."
He also revealed that research suggested that a proposed hotel could generate year-round occupancy by offering to niche markets such as casino or health resort.
The plans caused a split in opinion both among members of the public and community leaders when first announced.
Plans for a major redevelopment of the area around Mumbles Pier have been compared to something from the Costa del Sol.
The £39 million scheme would see flats, cafés and shops, a foreshore boardwalk and a new headland hotel, as well a refurbished pier.
Supporters say the development would be good for the area and a price worth paying if it is the only way of funding the essential repair work needed on the Victorian pier.
But opponents, who likened it to something from Costa del Sol, have questioned the scale and quality of the development, and the impact it would have on the landscape and on congestion.
A Facebook campaign to gather support for the redevelopment at Mumbles Pier and the surrounding area gained around 1,880 members.
Local business leaders have welcomed the announcement that the project is being placed on the international market.
Tracy Duffy, treasurer of the Mumbles Traders' Association, said: "We always welcome any development in Mumbles. With the shops which have closed down recently we could do with any added footfall."
The first phase of the development has already started — a £9.5 million offshore boathouse for the RNLI at the end of the listed pier.
geraint.thomas@swwmedia.co.uk
01792 514621
Comments
by Dan01
Saturday, September 22 2012, 12:46PM
“Stork is correct in saying that " it's going to be a very, very big challenge."
I sincerely hope that it will come about though. I'm not sure that the comparison with the old pier in Weston is relevant. Weston does have a grand pier in a central location. Very few towns, of any size, could support two piers.”
by andybeacham
Saturday, September 22 2012, 10:25AM
“Stork - Nothing suspicious about the approach. The owners are quite upfront that they are selling land to finance the cost of restoring the pier. It says as much is the story (fourth paragraph).
I suggest you also take a look at the pier website http://tinyurl.com/ccly779”
by Stork
Saturday, September 22 2012, 10:09AM
“PruPhneeda,
The fact that the Pier is a listed building won't stop it falling into the sea. Although the Pier owners have "said" they are going to upgrade the Pier. I suspect that the "upgrading" is dependent on them receiving loads of money for a hotel and flats.
Mumbles Pier is very much like Birnbeck Pier in Weston. That Pier is falling apart, was bought by Urban Splash who were going to turn it into "a destination" with hotel and flats. They "hyped" the deal up with an Architects' competition, loads of publicity, and guess what, they failed.
Another "entrepreneur" came along with the "master plan", bought out Urban Splash, received planning permission for a hotel and flats, and guess what, he's now trying to sell it on to someone else, but so far, no takers.
Premier Inn have built a large ugly hotel on Weston seafront, and Travelodge are "on the ropes", so there's really no-one else in the hotel game around to take it on.
Therefore, whilst I would like to see Mumbles Pier return to its former glory, it's going to be a very, very big challenge.”
by PruPhneeda
Friday, September 21 2012, 5:25PM
“Stork
Mumbles Pier is a listed structure.”
by Ded55
Friday, September 21 2012, 5:08PM
“Good to see some ambition in Swansea for a change. At least the pier owners are putting effort into doing something - which is more than can be said for some of the self-appointed "development experts" who regularly comment on this website.”
by Dan01
Friday, September 21 2012, 3:45PM
“Yes you are spot on there. It could be quite a turnaround for Mumbles,- a much overdue revival.
Lets face it, most of the current "architecture" around mumbles pier is of concrete blocks, and quite hideous to anyone who may stop and think about it. It must have been a shambolic cheap project when it came about.
Lets hope that something happens very soon to get things moving.”
by Stork
Friday, September 21 2012, 3:44PM
“Whilst jobs are needed. This story is "hype".
A 70 bedroom hotel, unless it's Premier Inn, will never pay. Local residents, don't build your hopes up too much.
Loads of flats, probably, shops.....doubt it, other than cafe and ice cream parlour.
A new Pier, something on the lines of Clevedon, perhaps. A Pier like the Grand Pier, Weston....never.”
by Tony_1980
Friday, September 21 2012, 3:12PM
“Hopefully an investor can be found and this will go ahead-I'm all for it and I only live around the corner. Mumbles council can go run and jump-THIS is the type of development needed in Mumbles. Look at Oystermouth square car park-talk about an embarrassment and something which could be sorted very easily with a resurfacing layer of tarmac.”