Vetch Field up for sale — at last
SWANSEA'S Vetch Field is finally going on the marketplace — more than four years after a ball was last kicked on its historic turf.
The council has defended the amount of time taken to kick off any redevelopment of the former Swans home, saying the process that leads to a site going out to the marketplace takes time.
A spokesman said: "Design work and extensive consultation with the community were among the many steps to go through at the Vetch to reach a solution everybody was happy with.
"We have also had to meet the requirements of European procurement law procedures.
"These steps have now been undertaken, so it's a real boost for the project that the scheme's gone out to the marketplace."
It says there is already interest in the site, which.
The much-loved former home of Swansea City has stood idle and largely untouched since 2005.
The shadow of the Vetch still looms large over Swansea, both physically and in the hearts of the thousands of supporters who used to watched their team from the terraces.
But since the club moved to the £27 million Liberty Stadium, the Vetch has stood silent.
Now it has finally been advertised, and the council says several developers have already made contact.
Proposals include a 120-unit housing development and a play area.
Interested developers are now asked to tender for the works by the end of March, and it's hoped the successful developer will be appointed in summer.
Swansea Council leader Chris Holley said: "It's important we develop a scheme that meets the needs of the community, while commemorating the history of the Vetch."
The council has already resolved that the successful developer should provide a new community centre and that St Phillips Community Centre is to be closed upon completion of the new facility.
Gareth Sullivan, Swansea Council's cabinet member for economic and strategic development, said: "Consultation with people and local members in the Sandfields area told us a new community centre was hugely important to residents.
"We'll continue to listen and keep the community updated."
alex.brown@swwmedia.co.uk
7 Comments
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by Anon, Swansea
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 9:36PM
“Cardiff City left Ninian Park in May and demolition started just 3 months later, Redrow had an office on the sight within weeks.
No wonder Cardiff is booming while Swansea is stuck in a rut.
The council there obviously know how to get things done unlike our buffons.”
by lee trundle, cardiff till i die
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 8:10PM
“just bomb the sh@t hole”
by swans fan, SA2
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 7:20PM
“hope they put in some sort of statue or monument as part of the redevelopment plans to remember the old vetch.”
by James Sheridan, Swansea
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 6:30PM
“Swansea Council Officers knew when the Swans were going to leave the Vetch, they knew where the Swans were going to (the Liberty) and they knew they had prime development land! When the Swans did vacate the Vetch, Property developers would have been rubbing they hands in glee at that time, to develop such a site. Swansea Council Officers should have ensured the process to development was effective and efficient, it wasn't, because the time lapsed suggests Swansea Council Officers must have been dragging their feet!
However, it is pleasing to learn that the Community in the Sandfields area of the city, were being consulted and that their views considered.”
by Inmate., Oystermouth Road.
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 5:07PM
“The Vetch Field, + the old United Welsh bus depot (now covered car park Clarence Tce )+St Phillips Community Centre + the childrens play area in Recorder Street were all put up for grab's as one package deal around a year ago !”