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Hmm, something smells badly on fire. #pontarddulais #swansea

SWANSEA: Boys of 14 among seven arrested as police pull six bikes off the streets

Police have released dramatic footage of their crackdown on anti-social and dangerous driving in Swansea — targeting motorbikes, e-bikes and car drivers.

Boys as young as 14 are among seven people arrested as police stripped six illegal bikes off the city’s streets.

The crackdown threw everything at the problem, from drones overhead to armed officers on the ground.

One dramatic car chase featured showed police pursuing a car tearing through streets in Mount Pleasant, Brynmill and the city centre at speeds hitting almost 60mph — all in a 20mph zone.

The driver, James Holt, 45, from Gowerton, was already on the radar of a knife crime operation when he refused to stop for police. He has since admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and uninsured, and drink driving.

In a separate incident in Gorseinon, officers chased down a bike running on false plates — and the two riders arrested turned out to be boys of 14.

Two 17-year-olds, from Bonymaen and Plasmarl, were arrested after a motorbike was snatched in the city centre. Police got the stolen bike back, and footage of the arrests shows officers recovering a Sur-Ron electric bike in an underpass.

In Pontarddulais, two unregistered bikes ignored orders to stop from armed officers. A stinger ended the argument, and both were seized.

South Wales Police have also charged 36-year-old Matthew Davies, from Maesteg, with driving while disqualified and using a motor vehicle without third-party insurance.

Temporary Chief Inspector Andrew Hedley said the arrests demonstrated “the impact of our ongoing targeted work to tackle illegal and anti-social use of vehicles across Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot.”

He said that the police were using specialist teams to identify offenders, “disrupting criminal activity and taking dangerous vehicles off our roads”.

He added that the force would keep acting on tip-offs from residents. “We will continue to act on information from our communities and take robust action against those who put others at risk,” he said.

The arrests are the latest scalps for Operation Akalat, the force’s rolling campaign against illegal bikes, stolen vehicles and the drug dealing that often travels with them.

Its biggest single haul came in April, when a police plane circling above Swansea guided officers to sixteen bikes in one day: eight in Penlan, three in the city centre, three in Townhill and two in Morriston. Several turned out to be stolen.

The same plane caught an extra target that evening. Callum Payne, 18, of Port Tennant, was tracked from 1,500ft as he sped a Sur-Ron over the SA1 pedestrian footbridge, weaving past drinkers and traffic. Officers found him inside a nearby house; he is now banned from the roads for two years and doing 200 hours of unpaid work.

Gorseinon’s riders have been playing hide and seek with police for months. Officers previously found five motorcycles stashed in woodland near the town, believed to be the machines behind a long run of complaints.

The Sur-Rons turning up again and again in these seizures are not toys. In law they are motor vehicles, needing registration, insurance and a licence to ride on a road or public path — unlike pedal-assist e-bikes, which are capped at 15.5mph.

And the bikes police take may never come back. Under powers proposed by the UK Government, vehicles used anti-socially could be crushed within 48 hours instead of the current 14 days, with no warning needed before they are taken.

Police and Crime Commissioner Emma Wools has backed the tougher line, saying such machines are often used to facilitate drug dealing and serious violence.

Swansea knows the cost when it goes wrong. In 2023, a child was seriously injured and airlifted to Morriston Hospital after being hit by an off-road motorbike yards from a Mayhill primary school.

South Wales Police say that anyone with information about illegal riding can contact them on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

SWANSEA: Sixteen bikes seized as police operation targets illegal off-road riders
A fixed-wing police aircraft guided officers to sixteen bikes in one day in April.

Police seize five motorcycles linked to anti-social behaviour in Gorseinon
The machines were found hidden in woodland near the town.

SWANSEA: Tracked from 1,500ft — Sur-Ron rider banned from the roads
Callum Payne sped across the SA1 pedestrian footbridge with a police plane overhead.

Police to crush e-scooters and off-road bikes used anti-socially within 48 hours
Proposed UK Government powers would slash the current 14-day wait.

SWANSEA: Vape shop shut for a third time as Trading Standards vow more closures to come

A Pontarddulais vape shop has been shut down for a third time after Trading Standards officers found illegal stock hidden on the premises.

World of Vapes, on St Teilo Street, was ordered to close for three months after Swansea Council officers visited earlier this month and discovered fake tobacco and vapes stashed in a hidden storage unit.

It is the latest blow for a shop that has now been closed three times in under a year.

The store was first shut in September 2025 as part of a city-wide crackdown that closed nine shops in a single operation.

It reopened, only to be closed again in February when officers uncovered more than £40,000 of illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco — including stock hidden in the flat above. A shop worker later admitted multiple offences.

Now it has been shut a third time.

A second shop, Snoop Vapes on High Street in the city centre, was also closed after repeatedly selling fake tobacco to undercover officers over a two-month period.

Both closures were granted by Swansea Magistrates’ Court, which can extend a council closure to three months.

Rhys Harries, the council’s Trading Standards team leader, said the team was committed to tackling the illegal sale of tobacco and vapes — “often with sales to children.”

He said officers had powers to close shops after a visit, but needed the courts to extend those closures to three months.

He said the aim was to disrupt the trade and stop harmful goods reaching younger children.

“There’s more to come,” he added. “We have continued with our intelligence gathering and there will be more closures this year.”

The latest action follows a major operation in October 2025, when Trading Standards joined forces with South Wales Police to raid shops across the city.

Nine shops were closed in those raids, with more than £70,000 of illegal tobacco and vapes seized.

Swansea is among the worst-hit areas in the UK for the trade, having recently been ranked fifth in the country for illegal vape seizures.

Andrew Williams, the council’s cabinet member for development, said the authority was taking the sale of illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco “very seriously.”

He said the Trading Standards team had made the issue a priority and gathered large amounts of intelligence on which shops had been selling illegal goods to consumers, including children.

He said the latest operation had been very successful in disrupting the trade, and he hoped it would send a strong message to other businesses that they had a duty to trade legally.

Trading Standards has confirmed that more shops will be targeted and closed as its intelligence-gathering and test purchases continue.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Nine Swansea vape shops shut down in major crackdown
The city-wide Operation Ceecee that first targeted illegal vape and tobacco sales.

Pontarddulais shop shut again after £40k haul
The same World of Vapes store closed a second time in February.

Swansea ranked fifth in UK for illegal vape seizures
New data revealing the scale of the illicit trade across the city.

ANIMAL CRUELTY: Senedd candidate and councillor banned from keeping animals for life after pigs and goats found in ‘appalling’ conditions

A community councillor who stood as a Senedd candidate in May’s election has been banned from keeping animals for life after pigs and goats in his care were found living in “appalling” conditions.

David Wayne Erasmus kept the animals in old windowless shipping containers awash with liquid faeces, urine and rotting food, with outdoor pens that were “just mud,” Swansea Crown Court heard.

Several pigs seized from his land died within days of being rescued — “as a direct result of the conditions they were kept in,” the court was told.

The court heard he was also caught building a “dam” of animal bones and entrails in a stream running across his field, and had set a “trap” for council officers — a wooden pallet with nails driven through it — at an access point to the land.

Lee Reynolds, prosecuting on behalf of Swansea Council, said the case concerned the conditions in which pigs and goats were kept on land off Bolgoed Road in Pontarddulais.

He stressed the prosecution was not brought on the basis that Erasmus intended to cause suffering, but that his ability to provide the required standard of care was “significantly lacking” and he was “ill-equipped” to look after the animals.

The court heard council officers first attended the land in November 2023, finding a shipping container housing goats with a floor “saturated with urine and faeces” and covered with “significant amounts of putrefying waste food.” Pigs were being kept in “extremely poor shelter” with a lack of water and a floor of liquid faeces.

Despite follow-up visits, letters and advice on what needed to improve, conditions deteriorated. On a visit in January 2024, officers found goats “cowering” in the corner of a pitch-black container that smelled strongly of ammonia, with some animals at first unable to get to their feet.

The prosecutor said that as officers released the goats, Erasmus became “agitated” and at one point began hammering nails into pieces of wood. The pigs, meanwhile, were “hock-deep in mud” with only “filthy water” to drink, and one was in “severe distress.” The animals were seized.

The court heard that the following month the council received complaints about new animals being kept on the land, and officers returned to find Erasmus had restocked with goats. On later visits in March and April the animals were again found in “simply appalling conditions.”

In total the charges covered 27 goats, kids and pigs. Erasmus had earlier pleaded guilty to three animal welfare offences, on the basis that he had not intended to cause suffering.

He asked for two further offences, under animal by-products regulations, to be taken into consideration — relating to bones, skeletons and entrails placed in the watercourse “apparently to build some sort of dam structure,” with further animal remains found in his vehicle and in feeding trays on the land.

Erasmus is no stranger to the ballot box. He stood for the pro-independence party Gwlad in Sir Gaerfyrddin in May’s Senedd election, finishing last in the seat, having also stood for the party in Gower at the 2021 Senedd election.

He has also repeatedly sought election to community councils across the Swansea and Carmarthenshire border in recent years, and is currently listed as a serving member of three of them — Grovesend and Waungron Community Council, which covers part of Pontarddulais, along with Cwmaman Town Council and Ammanford Town Council in Carmarthenshire, where he represents Gwlad.

Under local government rules, a community order does not automatically disqualify someone from holding office as a councillor — automatic disqualification generally applies only where a person is given a custodial sentence of three months or more.

Matt Murphy, defending, said Erasmus had taken a lease on the land from the Penllergare Estate with a “seven-year plan” to establish a market garden and farm shop to benefit the local community, but accepted he had not provided competent care. He said his client had mental health and neurodiversity issues and had been dealing with the breakdown of a 28-year marriage and a family bereavement.

Judge Huw Rees said it was accepted that Erasmus had never intended to cause the animals to suffer, but that he had been “ill-equipped to provide the appropriate level of care,” with mental health difficulties at the time making him “inattentive” to the animals.

Erasmus, 66, of Arlan Gwili, Hendy, Pontarddulais, was made subject to an 18-month community order with a mental health treatment requirement, and must complete a rehabilitation course.

He was banned from keeping or caring for animals indefinitely, with an exception for his own dog and his elderly mother’s cat and chickens.

The judge told him he would be “a fool unto yourself” not to take advantage of the help offered through the community order, urging him to move on from his disputes with the council and focus on caring for his mother and his own health.

The court heard Erasmus has dropped an appeal against the seizure of the animals.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Senedd 2021: David Wayne Erasmus, Gwlad — Gower
Our profile of Erasmus when he stood for Gwlad in Gower at the 2021 Senedd election.

Pembrokeshire woman banned from keeping animals after dog found with shocking untreated facial wound
A labrador was left with a severe untreated injury RSPCA officers described as “shocking.”

Llanelli woman jailed after knife attack and strangling of friend
Another recent case heard at Swansea Crown Court.

PONTARDDULAIS: Man handed suspended sentence in first conviction in Wales for illegal animal snares

A Pontarddulais man has become the first person in Wales to be convicted for illegally setting animal snares following the introduction of a total ban on their use, a court has heard.

Jarrod Hill, 59, of Pontarddulais, Swansea, was given a 12-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months after pleading guilty at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court to setting snares to trap wild mammals. Hill had claimed foxes were killing his ducks at White Springs Fishery in Carmarthenshire.

The snares were discovered on Friday 10 October 2025 by officers from Dyfed-Powys Police‘s Rural Crime Team and Natural Resources Wales staff who were carrying out routine fishery compliance checks at the site.

Hill had previously been warned about the use of snares in 2022 — at a time when their use was still permitted in certain circumstances. Despite the law changing in October 2023 to introduce a total ban, he continued to set them.

The use of snares was outlawed in Wales under the Agriculture (Wales) Act 2023, which came into force on 17 October 2023, making Wales the first part of the UK to introduce a complete ban on both snares and glue traps.

Sergeant Paul Roberts of the Dyfed-Powys Police Rural Crime Team said the case marked an important milestone. “Working closely with our partner agency, Natural Resources Wales, we welcome this outcome. Snares are a significant threat to wildlife, causing severe injuries and deaths,” he said.

“I’m proud to have secured the first conviction of its kind in Wales. This case underscores our shared commitment to protecting wildlife and ensuring that those who breach these laws are held accountable.”

Snares are wire traps designed to capture animals by tightening around the body, often causing prolonged suffering. They can trap animals indiscriminately, with studies showing a significant proportion of non-target species — including domestic pets — are caught.

The conviction sends a clear message that Wales’s landmark ban on snares will be enforced.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

HEARTBREAK: Swansea man banned for life after ‘threats to kill’ his own dog
A Swansea man was banned from keeping animals for life after threatening to kill his own dog.

Couple jailed after 52 animals found living in ‘filthy’ home with some suffering
A Milford Haven couple were jailed after RSPCA officers discovered 52 animals living in squalid conditions.

LLANELLI: Guide dog Lilly steals the show at Wales’s oldest camera club after model gets stuck in traffic
When the booked model failed to show up, blind photographer Andrew Windsor’s guide dog Lilly stepped in.

Vet bill crackdown: New rules promise cheaper care for millions of pet owners
New regulations are set to drive down the cost of veterinary care for pet owners across the UK.

SWANSEA: Council announces £11m investment in play areas and wheeled sports facilities

The investment was highlighted during a visit by Dawn Bowden, Welsh Government Minister for Children and Social Care, to Coed Gwilym Park in Clydach, which has benefited from both schemes.

£8m Play Area Programme Since Pandemic

The council says it has invested around £8 million in creating or refurbishing over 80 community play areas since 2021. The project was supported by an additional £5 million in Welsh Government funding this year to help create inclusive and accessible play spaces, according to the council.

At Coed Gwilym Park, the funding has helped secure a wheelchair seesaw and a wheelchair trampoline, which are currently under construction. A new natural play area and a zipwire are also being added.

Welsh Government Minister Dawn Bowden said:

“It was great to visit Coed Gwilym Park and see how the local authority has been listening to the voices of children in developing play spaces. These improvements, supported by Welsh Government funding, will make a real difference to children and their families, providing opportunities to play and be active with friends.”

Andrew Stevens, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said the programme was inspired by the pandemic.

“When we came out of the pandemic, the council made a commitment to modernise community play areas that’s seen more than 80 of them improved over the last five years. It means no child is far from a local, safe place to play outdoors with their friends.”

£3m Wheeled Sports Investment

The council has also announced a £3 million investment to upgrade facilities for BMX, skateboarding, and other wheeled sports.

New plans announced by the council include:

• Coed Gwilym Park, Clydach: Dirt track and jumps
• Coed Bach Park, Pontarddulais: Dirt track
• Morriston Park: Pump track
• Heol Las Park, Birchgrove: Pump track
• Maesteg Park, St Thomas: Pump track
• Ynystawe Park: Skate park
• SA1 Prince of Wales Docks: Pump track
• A new regional skate park (location to be confirmed)

The council says upgrade work has already been completed on a new skatepark at Coed Bach in Pontarddulais and a skatepark at Parc Melin Mynach in Gorseinon.

Cllr Andrew Stevens said:

“We’re determined to make Swansea one of the best places in Wales for wheeled sports, and today’s announcement of further new locations shows the scale of our ambition. Our long-term aim is to create a connected, inclusive and high-quality network of wheeled sports facilities that support healthier lifestyles, youth engagement and stronger communities across Swansea.”

A public forum to discuss the plans will be held at the Guildhall on Wednesday, February 25, from 5pm to 6.30pm, according to the council.

Hayley Gwilliam, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said:

“The feedback we’ve had from children, their families and communities has been tremendous. The investment is one of the largest and most sustained commitments to outdoor play areas of this kind anywhere in the UK.”

Vape shop shut down again after £40k haul of illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco in Pontarddulais

Swansea Council has shut down World of Vapes on St Teilo Street just weeks after the business reopened from an earlier enforcement action. The shop was originally ordered to close for three months in September 2025 following a city‑wide crackdown on illicit vape sales.

Repeat test purchases lead to new closure

Trading Standards officers returned to the shop in January after the temporary closure notice expired. Test purchases were carried out and counterfeit tobacco was sold to officers.

A further search of the premises — including the flat above the shop — uncovered a large quantity of illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco with a combined street value of more than £40,000.

The shop worker responsible, Many Shahabi Karimi, has since pleaded guilty to multiple offences relating to the fraudulent sale of counterfeit goods. He has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced later this month.

Council says enforcement will continue

Rhys Harries, Trading Standards Team Leader at Swansea Council, said the latest discovery shows the scale of the problem:

“Test purchasing will continue to take place and we will use all available legal powers to ensure these shops are not selling illegal vapes or counterfeit tobacco.”

Cllr Andrew Williams, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, accompanied officers on the latest visit.

He said:

“Our Trading Standards Team is working hard with local police to prevent these shops from trading in illegal and counterfeit goods. A number of those closed temporarily in September have not reopened and we are succeeding in disrupting this ongoing business.”

He added that the repeat closure of World of Vapes shows the council will continue to monitor premises even after temporary notices end:

“We will use our powers to close them down again.”

Part of wider crackdown on illegal vape sales

World of Vapes was one of nine shops shut during Operation Ceecee in September 2025 — a joint operation between Swansea Council and South Wales Police targeting the sale of illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco across the city.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Nine Swansea vape shops shut down in major crackdown on illegal sales
Part of the same city‑wide operation targeting illicit vape and tobacco products.

Swansea magistrates extend closure of vape shops in crackdown on illegal sales
Court‑ordered extensions followed further evidence of illegal trading.

Council wins vape shop closure order
Trading Standards secured a closure order after repeated breaches.

Taibach vape shop shut down after selling illegal cigarettes and vapes
Enforcement action taken after illegal tobacco and vapes were found on sale.

Vape shop shut down after illegal stock and cannabis seized in Port Talbot
Officers discovered illegal vapes alongside cannabis during a joint operation.

Shots fired near horses spark safety row in Fforest

Lee Morgan, who owns the land in question, said the incident happened on Sunday while his daughter was exercising horses in the yard. Shots were reportedly fired nearby, leaving both rider and horse “shaken but safe.”

Morgan said the area has long been used by local families walking off the public footpaths with his informal permission — but that has now changed.

“My land is no longer safe,” he wrote in a public post. “For the safety of my children and animals, I kindly ask everyone to stick strictly to the public footpaths.”

He added that someone had previously been seen in the fields carrying a firearm, and confirmed that Dyfed‑Powys Police had been informed.

Police confirm report of gunshots

In a statement, Dyfed‑Powys Police said:

“Dyfed‑Powys Police received a report on Sunday, December 14th, raising concerns that shots had been heard on land in the Fforest area of Pontarddulais.

An officer attended however no one was found in the area at the time.

Anyone who witnesses suspicious activity or has concerns is asked to contact police.”

Councillor deletes safety warning post

The original post was shared in a local Facebook group but later removed by Llanedi councillor Tyrone Rees, who said it was “unsuitable” and expressed doubt that the person responsible was from Llanedi.

In a private message, Rees said:

“I know everybody with firearms in Llanedi and would suspect the people responsible are from further afield. It’s about striving a balance and not promoting fear.”

His decision to delete the post sparked a backlash from Morgan’s family, who said the warning was issued purely to protect the public.

“This was never about blame — it was about preventing an accident,” they wrote. “God forbid something were to happen to a child while we’re not at the yard.”

Police presence expected in the area

Morgan said officers would be present in the area and may question anyone found off the public footpaths. He urged residents to take extra care and report any suspicious activity.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Ammanford boy arrested after making threats with gun
Police arrested a teenage boy in Ammanford after threats involving a firearm were made.

Armed police outside Llanelli school after online threats force closure
Dafen CP School in Llanelli was closed after online threats, with armed officers deployed.

Police name Llanelli man charged after explosive device found
A 57‑year‑old Llanelli man was charged after police discovered an explosive device at a property.

Scenic Gower footpath to get further upgrades
Swansea Council announced improvements to a popular Gower footpath, highlighting wider safety and access issues.

#CllrTyroneRees #DyfedPowysPolice #Fforest #firearms #gunshot #horses #Llanedi #Pontarddulais #publicFootpath

Pontarddulais Town FC goes solar to cut bills and carbon

Pontarddulais Town FC has fitted 30 solar panels to its changing rooms, backed up by battery storage to capture and use the energy produced. The £23,130 package was funded through the Rural Anchor Fund via the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund — part of a scheme that has already launched 17 renewable energy projects across rural Swansea.

Volunteer coach Grant Poiner said:

“By generating and storing renewable energy on‑site, the club will significantly reduce its reliance on the grid, cut carbon emissions, and lower energy bills.

These savings will be reinvested into our grassroots football and community programmes, ensuring that the club remains accessible and affordable for everyone.

We are really grateful for the support of the fund to enable us to lower our carbon emissions and help us become more sustainable as a club.”

Pontarddulais Town isn’t the only team to benefit. South Gower Rugby Club has secured £21,000 for new LED floodlights to brighten up its pitch.

Between 2023 and 2025, Swansea Council says it has helped share more than £716,000 across 54 rural projects. Seventeen of those have focused on renewable energy, while others have backed volunteering schemes, local markets, visitor trails, biodiversity projects and feasibility studies.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure Andrew Stevens said:

“There has been a wide range of projects all across Swansea’s rural communities that have secured funding during the last two years and have put the money to good use.

Everyone is benefitting, whether it’s young people playing sports or families wanting to go for guided walks through some of our wonderful countryside.

The funding we have received is going to make a difference not just for the communities involved, but also for those who visit them.”

For Pontarddulais Town FC, the solar switch means lower bills, greener football, and more money pumped back into the grassroots game.

Related stories

Pontarddulais RFC secures major sponsorship
£6,000 boost from Persimmon Homes for the 2025/26 season.

Developer helps rugby club roof fund
Local developer support helps a Swansea county rugby club.

Developer donation for Swansea rugby club
Pontarddulais RFC benefits from Persimmon Homes’ Community Champions fund.

Junior section funding boost
£1,000 donation supports U10 and U11 teams.

Carmarthenshire football clubs funding boost
Six clubs awarded investment to improve grassroots facilities.

#CllrAndrewStevens #football #Pontarddulais #PontarddulaisTownFC #solarPanels #SouthGowerRugbyClub #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #UKSharedProsperityFund

Another 95 new homes planned for Pontarddulais farmland

The scheme is being brought forward by Derwen May Homes, a company founded in 2024 by Cardiff-born Huw Llewellyn, who previously held senior roles at Barratt Homes and Persimmon Homes. Pontarddulais is the firm’s first site since incorporation.

According to the developer’s consultation page and the accompanying Design and Access Statement, the plans include a mix of one to four-bedroom houses, with 14 affordable homes. The layout promises green corridors, rain gardens, and shared open spaces, with streets designed to favour pedestrians over cars. The architects say the scheme will “avoid the generic housebuilder aesthetic seen elsewhere” by reflecting the agricultural character of the site.

A development pitched as “landscape-led”

The proposals emphasise public space over large private gardens, with natural play areas and walking routes integrated into the design. Homes would be built with air source heat pumps, solar panels, and electric vehicle charging points, aiming to reduce running costs for residents.

Derwen May Homes say the project is intended to create a “distinct identity” for a new neighbourhood on the edge of Pontarddulais, while making use of existing landscape features such as hedgerows and mature trees.

More details about the scheme are available on the developer’s Kyffin Meadows site.

Pontarddulais facing wave of housing proposals

This latest plan adds to a growing list of developments proposed for Pontarddulais. Earlier this year, Walters Group submitted plans for 150 homes on the site of the former Tata Steelworks. Meanwhile, Persimmon Homes has brought forward a 500-home “zero-carbon ready” scheme, which has also been the subject of public consultation.

A separate proposal for 30 homes on the former Clayton Works site was dismissed at appeal earlier this year on flood risk grounds, but the volume of schemes still on the table has prompted community pushback. Residents have raised concerns about traffic, school capacity, healthcare access, and the loss of green space, warning that the town risks being overwhelmed by development.

Wider housing pressures in Swansea

The Bolgoed Farm scheme also comes against the backdrop of Swansea’s wider housing targets. A Swansea Bay News investigation revealed that just 300 of the 7,000 homes promised under the city’s housing blueprint have been built so far.

Developers argue new homes are essential to meet demand, but critics say Pontarddulais risks being disproportionately affected without matching investment in infrastructure.

What happens next

Derwen May Homes is currently running a statutory pre-application consultation, with a formal planning application expected to be submitted to Swansea Council in due course.

If approved, the Kyffin Meadows development would significantly expand the town’s southern boundary and add to the tally of new homes being proposed for Pontarddulais.

Swansea Bay News will continue to follow the story as it develops.

#bolgoedFarm #bolgoedRoad #construction #derwenMayHomes #housingDevelopment #huwLlewellyn #kyffinMeadows #napierRoad #newHomes #pontarddulais

Swansea magistrates extend closure of vape shops in crackdown on illegal sales

Eight vape shops across Swansea will remain shut for up to three months after magistrates backed council action against the sale of illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco.

The closures follow Operation Ceecee & Marvel, a three‑day joint operation led by Swansea Council’s Trading Standards with support from South Wales Police, HMRC, Home Office Immigration officers and tobacco detection dogs.

Raids lead to extended closures

Officers targeted 14 shops where earlier test purchases had confirmed illicit sales. Nine were issued with temporary 48‑hour closure notices while the council sought longer orders through the courts. Magistrates have now approved applications to extend the closure of eight shops, while the owner of the ninth has opted to shut down permanently.

The shops ordered to remain closed are:

• Morriston Mini Market, 86 Woodfield Street, Morriston
• Crystal Vapes, 95 High Street, Gorseinon
• World of Vapes, 89 St Teilo Street, Pontarddulais
• Bob Marley Vapes, 75 St Helen’s Road, Swansea city centre
• Asia Vapes, 40 St Helen’s Road, Swansea city centre
• Kubus Vapes, 31b St Helen’s Road, Swansea city centre
• Bob CBD Vapes, 29 Union Street, Swansea city centre
• Snoop Vapes, 71 High Street, Swansea city centre

More Trading Standards news

Stay up to date with the latest investigations, prosecutions and community crackdowns led by Trading Standards teams across Swansea Bay and beyond.

Browse all Trading Standards stories

Illegal goods seized and arrests made

The raids led to the seizure of 971 packs of cigarettes, 970 packets of hand‑rolling tobacco and 2,292 vapes, with a combined retail value of more than £77,000. Five vehicles linked to the shops were also confiscated, and 11 people were arrested in connection with the sales.

Council and police warn of risks

Andrew Williams, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Services (Performance), said:

“This council is taking the sale of illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco in Swansea very seriously. Our Trading Standards Team has made this issue a priority… I’m delighted that magistrates have supported our applications to extend the closure of eight shops in the city.”

Inspector Andrew Hedley, South Wales Police, added:

“Counterfeit tobacco and vapes are not only illegal, but they are incredibly dangerous for those who use them. These businesses were all given warnings to stop selling these items but disregarded them. They will now face prosecution for various offences as a result.”

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#AsiaVapes #BobCBDVapes #BobMarleyVapes #Business #CllrAndrewWilliams #counterfeitTobacco #CrystalVapes #Gorseinon #HighStreet #illegalVapes #KubusVapes #Morriston #MorristonMiniMarket #Pontarddulais #retail #SnoopVapes #SouthWalesPolice #StHelensRoad #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #TradingStandards #UnionStreet #vapeShop #vapeShopClosure #vapes #WoodfieldStreet #WorldOfVapes

Crane to be brought in after huge tree falls on graves at Pontarddulais cemetery

Swansea Council said its parks team is working carefully to remove the tree, which was uprooted by high winds and is now lying across a section of the cemetery.

Smaller branches have already been cut away to reduce the weight of the trunk, but a crane is due on site to lift the main stem clear without causing further damage.

Cllr Cyril Anderson, Cabinet Member for Community, said:

“At the moment, the fallen tree is sitting across a number of headstones and is fairly stable. We are taking our time with the removal, so further damage is not caused. This means working methodically to avoid uncontrolled movement of the tree stem as well as consideration for the safety of our park operatives when working with such a large structure.

“We understand how distressing this may be for families, and we want to reassure them that we’re doing all we can. Once the tree has been removed we will be able to undertake a full assessment of any damage that has been caused and will contact those families affected by this incident.”

The cemetery remains open to the public, but visitors are being asked to avoid the affected area until the tree has been lifted clear.

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Swansea burglar jailed after repeatedly targeting woman in her nineties

Targeting the vulnerable

Brandon Williams, of Lon Gwendraeth, admitted burglary and theft offences after entering multiple addresses in the Morriston area in November 2024 and July 2025. On one occasion he stole cash and house keys from a woman in her 90s, money she had set aside to pay for her boiler to be serviced the next day.

Williams later returned to the same property months later, again stealing from the pensioner, who told the court she no longer feels safe in her home of many years. She has since changed her locks, installed security measures and altered her daily routines.

Vehicles also stolen

While police were investigating the first burglary, Williams struck again, taking the keys to a Nissan van from another Morriston home and driving off with the vehicle, which contained the victim’s work tools. The van was later found abandoned in Pontarddulais, with Williams’ DNA recovered from inside.

Police: “Absence of morals”

Detective Sergeant Samuel Stanway of South Wales Police said:

“Brandon Williams is the kind of selfish criminal who makes people, especially elderly people, no longer feel safe in their own homes. He clearly deliberately targeted a woman who was vulnerable due to her age, which is despicable in itself… He is someone who doesn’t care at all about his community, and his community will now be free of him for a number of years.”

Judge: “Hard to think of a more despicable offence”

At Swansea Crown Court, Judge Paul Thomas KC described Williams as a “prolific burglar” despite his young age. He told him:

“It is hard to think of a more despicable offence of its type. Earning an honest living is something you might want to try at some stage.”

The court heard Williams had two previous convictions for 12 offences, including burglaries, handling stolen goods and aggravated vehicle taking. He was out on licence from a 16‑month sentence when he committed the first Morriston burglary.

Sentence

Williams pleaded guilty to burglary and theft, with two further burglaries and a vehicle‑taking taken into consideration. He was sentenced to three years and three months (39 months) in prison. He will serve up to half in custody before being released on licence.

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7,000 homes promised, just 300 built: Swansea’s housing blueprint falters

What this feature covers

• The 7,000 homes promised in Swansea’s Local Development Plan – and why fewer than 300 have been built
• A site‑by‑site look at the Strategic Development Areas: from Penllergaer to St Thomas
• The obstacles – from Covid and costs to nutrient neutrality rules
• The impact on families, communities and local services
• How the next Local Development Plan (LDP2) could reshape Swansea’s growth to 2038

When Swansea councillors adopted the Local Development Plan (LDP) in 2019, it was meant to be a clear guide for growth. Instead of scattered estates, the council wanted builders to focus on a dozen large “Strategic Development Areas” (SDAs) — planned new neighbourhoods with schools, shops, roads and green space. The promise was bold: more than 7,000 homes within five years. Six years later, the council’s own Annual Monitoring Report shows fewer than 300 have been built.

At the latest planning committee, Cllr Peter Black voiced frustration:

“It does seem as if the plan is aiming to be a planned economy without actually any control over the economy. We’re saying how many houses we want built without having any control over that.”

Responding, Tom Evans, the council’s Placemaking and Strategic Planning Manager, acknowledged the difficulties, stressing that Swansea is not alone:

“Deliverability of residential sites has been one of the biggest difficulties we’ve experienced — and it’s not limited to Swansea, it’s a national issue.”

The Strategic Development Sites

Parc Mawr, Penllergaer (planned: 644 homes | delivered: 119)

Bellway Homes is building here, and aerial photos show rows of new houses already occupied. But Parc Mawr has been one of the most controversial sites. A vocal campaign group, Preserve Penllergaer, fought the allocation from the start, warning that the promised primary school and relief road might never materialise. Penllergaer Community Council has echoed those concerns, arguing the development risks overwhelming local services. The late Cllr Wendy Fitzgerald was a prominent critic, warning in 2020 that the scheme would “change the character of the village forever.”

Garden Village, Gorseinon (planned: 700 homes | delivered: 24)

Garden Village has history: it was first conceived as a model community in the early 20th century, but World War I halted progress. A century later, Persimmon was tasked with reviving the idea. Yet only 24 homes have been built so far. The site has been dogged by concerns over ancient woodland, which led to a public inquiry, and by scepticism that the “garden village” branding masks a conventional estate. For now, the grand vision remains largely on paper.

Pontarddulais (planned in the LDP: 486 homes | delivered: 0)

On paper, Pontarddulais was supposed to take around 486 homes under the Local Development Plan. In reality, the schemes now on the table go well beyond that figure — and the town has become one of the fiercest battlegrounds in Swansea’s housing debate.

Persimmon’s zero‑carbon neighbourhood

The biggest proposal is from Persimmon Homes, which has branded its 280‑acre scheme south of Glanffrwd Road as a “zero‑carbon ready” neighbourhood. The plans, lodged in 2024, set out 516 homes powered by air‑source heat pumps and solar panels, with no gas connections at all. Persimmon promise a new primary school, a community hall, parks, play areas and sports pitches, alongside contributions for a 3G pitch at Pontarddulais Comprehensive and upgrades to local bus services.

Supporters say it would bring jobs and give young families a chance to stay in the town. But opponents point to the same pinch‑points that have dogged every major application here: traffic through St Teilo Street, the Station Road/Water Street junction, and the pressure on schools and GPs. Councillors resolved to approve the scheme in March 2025 “despite traffic and infrastructure concerns,” but as of this autumn, the fields remain untouched.

Walters’ aluminium site and the spine road row

A second scheme is also moving forward on the former aluminium factory site off Station Road, promoted by Walters Land Ltd. Outline consent has been granted for up to 150 homes, part of a wider tract of land that could eventually deliver as many as 720. The plan has been mired in rows over the so‑called “spine street” — a relief road meant to take traffic away from Water Street. The original LDP envisaged a western route parallel to the railway, but flood risk has forced Walters to propose a new alignment via High Street and Woodville Street. Residents fear it will funnel HGVs and commuter traffic through residential streets.

Even councillors have voiced unease. Cllr Phil Downing warned at committee: “It’s either going to be a functional road, or it’s not – in which case what are we doing?” Despite those misgivings, the outline plans were approved, with just 10% affordable housing promised because of abnormal remediation costs. Walters intend to clean up the site and then sell it on to a housebuilder for detailed consent.

For now, Pontarddulais remains in limbo: two major schemes approved in principle, more homes than the LDP ever envisaged, but not a single brick laid. To campaigners, it’s proof the town is being asked to take too much. To developers, it’s a chance to deliver “sustainable, future‑proof” neighbourhoods. To residents, it’s years of uncertainty with no clear end in sight.

Both major schemes also fall within the nutrient neutrality catchment, meaning even with outline approvals, progress could be delayed until developers can prove their plans will not add to pollution in the Burry Inlet.

Morriston, Clasemont Road (planned: 490–600 homes | delivered: 0)

The land north of Clasemont Road, known as Pantlasau Farm, was one of the flagship allocations in the Local Development Plan. A detailed “Design Code” was drawn up in 2017 by consultants Mitchell Eley Gould on behalf of the Morris Estate Trustees, setting out a vision for up to 600 homes.

The plans imagined a high‑density, walkable neighbourhood inspired by the original 18th‑century Morriston grid. Key features included:

• A new primary school and playing fields.
• A local centre with shops, community space and a small commercial hub.
• A network of green corridors and a nature reserve to buffer the site from the M4.
• A mix of houses and flats, with higher densities around the centre and lower densities at the edges.
• Play areas and sports facilities (one multi‑use games area, three larger play areas and nine smaller ones).
• A street layout designed as “shared spaces” to slow traffic and prioritise walking and cycling.

The 26‑hectare site was to be built in phases over a decade, starting with around 100 homes and a small commercial space, before expanding to include the school and community hub.

A masterplan on paper

Yet despite the detailed framework, no homes have been built. The allocation remains on paper, a reminder that even with masterplans and design codes, delivery depends on developer appetite, infrastructure funding and market conditions.

Llangyfelach, M4 Junction 46 (planned: 565 homes in the LDP | live proposals: up to 1,950 | delivered: 0)

From 565 to 1,950 homes

At the northern edge of Swansea, just off Junction 46 of the M4, lies one of the most ambitious housing sites in the Local Development Plan. Known as Pentref Rhostir, the 280‑acre tract of farmland was originally allocated for 565 homes. Since then, developer Llanmoor Homes has secured outline consent for a far larger scheme: a new community of up to 1,950 homes to be built over 15–20 years, with around 15% affordable.

The masterplan promises more than just housing. It includes:

• A new primary school.
• A local centre with shops, food outlets, medical and community facilities.
• A 1.4km link road designed to ease congestion on Llangyfelach Road.
• Around 100 acres of public open space, with sports pitches, play areas and landscaped green corridors.
• Contributions to active travel routes, ecology improvements, and an on‑site demand‑responsive bus service.

Outline consent, no spades in the ground

The first phase was expected to deliver 472 homes, with Llanmoor previously aiming to start infrastructure works in spring 2025 and open a sales centre by autumn. But as of autumn 2025, the fields remain untouched. Despite outline consent and glossy brochures, not a single home has yet been built.

For supporters, Pentref Rhostir is a chance to deliver the scale of housing Swansea desperately needs, in a location with space to grow. For critics, it is a symbol of the gap between the city’s housing promises and the reality on the ground — a flagship allocation still waiting to break ground.

Despite outline consent, the site lies within the affected catchment, so condition discharge and detailed applications may now face additional scrutiny under the new nutrient rules.

Penderi Regeneration

Penderi — the collective name for the communities of Blaenymaes, Portmead, Penplas and Cadle — is not a strategic LDP housing allocation but a neighbourhood regeneration programme. The area is dominated by social housing, with thousands of homes owned by Pobl and Swansea Council, and has long faced challenges of poor connectivity, deprivation and ageing housing stock.

Since the LDP was adopted, the most significant investment here has been in retrofitting existing homes rather than large‑scale new construction. The flagship Penderi Energy Project, led by Pobl in partnership with Sero, is one of the UK’s largest residential retrofit schemes. It is upgrading 644 social homes with solar panels, battery storage and other energy‑efficient technologies, aiming to cut bills and carbon emissions.

There has also been some new council housing: Swansea Council has completed 36 homes off Colliers Way in Blaenymaes — 18 built to ultra‑efficient Passive House standards and 18 to the council’s own “Swansea Standard,” which performs 25% better than building regulations.

The 2022 regeneration prospectus, prepared with The Urbanists, sets out a 15‑year vision for a 92‑hectare area. It proposes:

• Transforming The Ravine and other green corridors, with 27ha of landscape improvements overall.
• Upgrading 14ha of sports fields at Penlan Fields.
• Testing layouts for 384 new dwellings, potentially adding around 921 residents.
• Raising tree canopy cover from 7.5% to 50% within 15 years, through new street trees, fruit trees in gardens and extensive planting.

The ambition is to turn Penderi from a low‑density, service‑poor estate into a greener, healthier, better‑connected neighbourhood. Progress so far has been modest — a retrofit programme and a handful of new council homes — but the groundwork has been laid for a much larger transformation if the masterplan is realised.

Cefn Coed Hospital, Tycoch (planned: 371 homes | delivered: 73 pre‑LDP, 0 since)

The sprawling Cefn Coed Hospital site was originally earmarked for around 350–370 homes once services moved out. An early phase on the edge of the site, built by Bellway Homes off Lon Masarn, delivered 73 houses before the Local Development Plan was adopted.

But the wider redevelopment has stalled — and the scale of housing is now set to shrink. In 2023 Swansea Bay University Health Board confirmed that part of the land will be retained for a new adult acute mental health unit, with space for parking and possible future expansion. That means the number of homes likely to be built has fallen to around 170, almost half the original figure.

The health board has also acquired and plans to demolish an old Welsh Ambulance Service building on the site to make way for the new unit, subject to planning approval. Officials said the change reflects the need to modernise NHS facilities while managing a £100m+ maintenance backlog across the estate.

At the same time, the board has identified surplus land, including parts of Cefn Coed, as potential “candidate sites” for housing in Swansea Council’s next Local Development Plan (LDP2). That means some areas could still be released for development, but the final balance between health facilities and housing will only be confirmed in the new plan.

Waunarlwydd / Fforestfach (planned in the LDP: 716 homes | delivered: 0)

This corner of Swansea was earmarked in the Local Development Plan for major growth, with around 716 homes expected. In practice, the proposals now emerging are even bigger.

Persimmon’s ribbon of development

Persimmon’s outline for a 600‑home estate has already stirred fears of a “continuous ribbon” of development stretching from Penllergaer to Gowerton. Campaigners warn it would erode the green gaps between communities and overload the A484 corridor.

Barratt’s Keepers Lodge vision

And in late 2024, Barratt Homes began consulting on a second scheme at Keepers Lodge Farm, off Titanium Road. Their boards, shown at a pre‑application consultation in November 2024, set out a vision for around 400 homes, a new primary school, and a “community heart” with shops, commercial space and community facilities.

The boards also noted that the wider site is allocated in the LDP for mixed‑use development of approximately 1,319 homes — far more than the 716 figure usually quoted. Barratt’s “Keepers Lodge” would be the first phase of that larger allocation.

For now, though, the fields remain untouched. No formal planning application has yet been lodged, and residents are bracing for another round of arguments over traffic, schools and the loss of green space.

Gowerton, Fairwood Terrace (planned in the LDP: 664 homes | delivered: 0)

A strategic site with zero delivery

This site has become a symbol of the contradictions at the heart of Swansea’s Local Development Plan. On paper, the land at the end of Fairwood Terrace was earmarked for hundreds of homes. But when the first major application came forward — a joint bid by Persimmon Homes West Wales and Urban Style Land Ltd — councillors turned it down, despite their own officers recommending approval.

The outline application, lodged in 2024, sought permission for up to 216 homes alongside some mixed‑use commercial space. The plans promised a blend of flats and houses from one to four bedrooms, with just over 10% affordable housing, plus new pedestrian crossings, an upgraded signal‑controlled junction at Fairwood Terrace and Victoria Road, and even a potential park‑and‑ride hub to serve Gowerton railway station.

Residents were unconvinced. A Facebook campaign group, “Save Gowerton From Gridlock,” mobilised hundreds of objections, warning that the extra traffic would overwhelm the already congested Fairwood Terrace/Victoria Road junction, where a low railway bridge and rugby club access already create bottlenecks. Others raised concerns about the loss of mature trees and green space, and about pressure on local schools and GP surgeries.

In September 2024, the planning committee narrowly voted to refuse the scheme, citing congestion and amenity impacts. Officers warned the refusal reasons were weak and would be hard to defend at appeal, but councillors stood firm.

The twist came in 2025, when the case went to appeal before Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW). Gowerton ward councillors Susan Jones and Dai Jenkins, who had opposed the scheme, initially agreed to defend the refusal. But they later stepped back, saying they wanted to represent their constituents’ views more freely outside the formal constraints of the planning process. Into the breach stepped Cllr Peter Black, who has taken on the role of defending the council’s decision at the hearing, supported by planning officers.

The developers, meanwhile, are pressing hard. Persimmon and Urban Style Land argue the scheme fits the Local Development Plan and meets pressing housing needs. They have even lodged a claim for costs, insisting there is an “overwhelming case” for approval. Nearly 600 local submissions have been made to PEDW, underlining the depth of feeling in the community.

For campaigners, the refusal was a victory for common sense. For developers, it is a test case of whether Swansea can deliver the homes its own plan says are needed. For the council, it has become an awkward standoff: a strategic allocation with zero delivery, a developer determined to push ahead, and a community that feels it has already reached breaking point.

The Fairwood Terrace appeal has already been postponed while Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) seeks further evidence on nutrient impacts — underlining how the new rules are already slowing decisions.

⚖️ Gowerton at Appeal

The Fairwood Terrace site (216 homes, part of the Gowerton allocation) was refused by Swansea’s planning committee in 2024 on traffic grounds, despite officers recommending approval.

Planning officers warned the refusal reasons were “not particularly strong” and may be hard to defend at appeal.

After ward members stepped back, Cllr Peter Black was nominated to defend the decision at a Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) hearing.

Developers Persimmon Homes and Urban Style Land argue the scheme complies with the LDP and would provide “much‑needed housing.”

Nearly 600 local submissions have been made to PEDW, alongside petitions and objections citing congestion and safety concerns.

The appeal has since been postponed while inspectors seek further evidence on nutrient impacts, showing how the new nutrient neutrality rules are already affecting live cases.

Central Area / Waterfront (planned: 856 homes | delivered: 128 so far, with more underway)

The Central Area / Waterfront SDA covers Swansea city centre and the SA1 Waterfront. It was earmarked in the Local Development Plan for 856 homes, alongside new commercial and leisure space. Since adoption in 2019, only 128 homes have been completed, but several major schemes are now underway that could lift delivery closer to target.

City centre regeneration

City centre regeneration has been the most visible. The Copr Bay Arena and bridge opened in 2022 as Phase One of the Swansea Central project. Phase Two is now progressing, with the former St David’s Shopping Centre site earmarked for a new office and learning campus. The council’s flagship 71/72 The Kingsway office scheme is complete, providing space for around 600 jobs in the tech and digital sectors. Alongside this, upper floors of vacant commercial buildings on The Kingsway and High Street are being converted into apartments to bring more residents into the core.

The Civic Centre prize

The Civic Centre site on the seafront is the next big prize. Urban Splash unveiled a “sketchbook vision” in December 2024 to transform the 23‑acre site with 500–600 homes, ground‑floor cafes and bars, a hotel, and even a two‑storey aquarium. The scheme will only move forward once council services relocate to Y Storfa, a new public sector hub in the former BHS store on Oxford Street. Y Storfa is due to open in late 2025, housing the central library, West Glamorgan Archive Service, and a range of council and partner services.

SA1 Waterfront schemes

SA1 Waterfront remains a key housing location. Pobl’s Sidings development added new apartments soon after the LDP was adopted, and further schemes are now in train. Construction began in early 2025 on 43 affordable homes on Langdon Road, due for completion in 2027. In late 2024, Beacon Cymru (formerly Coastal Housing) started work on 104 social rent apartments with ground‑floor commercial space on Kings Road. In May 2025, the Welsh Government agreed to sell two further SA1 plots (D5B and D9B) to Pobl and Beacon Cymru for 69 more social homes.

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David is also expanding its footprint in SA1. Its Innovation Matrix — a facility to connect business and academia — launched in 2025, with further research and collaboration projects under discussion.

Taken together, these projects show the Central Area / Waterfront is finally beginning to deliver on its promise of a denser, more vibrant urban core. But while the commercial and cultural elements have advanced quickly, the housing element is still catching up. Council officers say the area remains a priority for affordable and mixed‑use growth, with brownfield redevelopment and conversions central to the strategy.

Fabian Way Corridor (planned: 525 homes | delivered: 60)

Marketed in the Local Development Plan as Swansea’s “Innovation Corridor,” Fabian Way was supposed to deliver hundreds of homes alongside jobs, research facilities and new commercial space. To date, just 60 homes have been built, leaving the residential element far short of the 525 promised.

Instead, most of the activity has been around infrastructure and employment. Swansea University’s Bay Campus is now firmly established, Amazon’s distribution centre dominates the eastern end, and SA1 continues to grow with new university and residential blocks. But the corridor’s housing allocations remain largely untouched.

Transport first, housing later

Two linked transport schemes are now at the heart of the strategy. The Baldwin’s Bridge replacement would see the existing bridge over Baldwin’s Crescent rebuilt or upgraded, while a new Langdon Road connection would create a spine road through SA1, parallel to Fabian Way. Together, they are designed to ease congestion, improve access to the city centre, and provide safer walking and cycling routes for students and commuters. Swansea Council has already approved land acquisition south of Fabian Way at the docks, and Welsh Government funding is in place for feasibility and design. The project is listed as a priority in the regional transport plan.

Crucially, this is a joint scheme between Swansea Council and Neath Port Talbot Council, because the county boundary runs directly through the middle of the development zone — just west of the Bay Campus. That split jurisdiction has long complicated delivery, but both councils are now working together to unlock the corridor’s potential.

Another missing piece is the long‑promised Southern Access Road to Coed Darcy. Planned for more than a decade, it was intended to link the 4,000‑home “urban village” on the former BP refinery site directly to Fabian Way, relieving pressure on Jersey Marine and providing a dedicated public transport corridor. Sometimes referred to as “Ffordd Amazon Stage 2,” the road was identified in the 2010 Fabian Way Transport Assessment as essential early infrastructure. Yet only a short stub was ever built, ending abruptly. The full link has been repeatedly delayed by the slow pace of Coed Darcy itself and the engineering challenge of crossing the protected Crymlyn Bog. Neath Port Talbot Council now acknowledges the scheme “has not been developed,” and its future depends on whether the re‑scaled Coed Darcy plans finally move forward.

Other works are also reshaping the area. Neath Port Talbot Council has begun major drainage improvements on Fabian Way to tackle persistent flooding, supported by the Welsh Government’s Resilient Roads Fund. Plans are advancing to expand the Fabian Way park‑and‑ride into a “green transport hub”, potentially with hydrogen production and large‑scale EV charging. And within SA1 itself, new planning applications for apartments on Langdon Road show that piecemeal residential growth is still happening.

For now, though, the vision of a thriving mixed‑use corridor remains incomplete. The infrastructure projects may unlock development sites and improve connectivity, but the housing allocations are still waiting to be realised — a decade after they were first promised.

Tawe Riverside / St Thomas (planned: 258 homes | delivered: 0)

On the east bank of the River Tawe, the St Thomas allocation was supposed to deliver 258 homes as part of a wider riverside regeneration. To date, not a single dwelling has been built. Instead, the area has become the focus of a broader transformation effort, backed by UK Government Levelling Up funding and a new masterplan led by Urban Splash.

Urban Splash and Lovell’s riverside vision

The St Thomas Riverside site, once home to a railway station and later left as a green corridor, is now the subject of detailed proposals by Urban Splash and Lovell. Their Stage 1 Project Plan sets out around 158 new homes, half of them affordable, alongside a riverside promenade, a new public square, and flexible commercial units. Stirling Prize‑winning architects AHMM are part of the design team, with plans for riverside townhouses, a six‑storey “marker” building, and a central garden street. The scheme promises to reconnect St Thomas with the river for the first time in 150 years, with potential for a new pedestrian and cycle bridge to the city centre.

Levelling Up heritage projects

At the same time, the Tawe Riverside Corridor Action Plan highlights the area’s role as a heritage destination. A £28m Levelling Up programme is funding restoration of the Hafod Morfa Copperworks, new pontoons on the river, and upgrades to Swansea Museum. Together, these projects aim to create jobs, attract visitors, and complete missing links in the riverside walkway and cycle network.

Council depot site in play

The council’s own landholdings are also in play. Swansea Council has confirmed plans to vacate its long‑standing Pipehouse Wharf depot, relocating operations to a new facility at the Enterprise Park. The riverside depot, currently used for waste and recycling vehicles, sits next to the St David’s student accommodation on Morfa Road. Officials say the site is expected to generate “significant interest” from potential purchasers once it is released, adding to the pool of land available for regeneration along the Tawe corridor. Coastal Housing previously explored a 150‑home scheme here, though those plans did not progress. With the depot now earmarked for disposal, the site is once again likely to attract developers as part of the city’s wider riverside transformation.

For residents, the promise is of a greener, better‑connected neighbourhood, with new homes, public spaces and heritage attractions. But as with so many of Swansea’s strategic sites, the vision remains on paper. Delivery will depend on overcoming viability challenges, securing infrastructure funding, and navigating new environmental rules such as nutrient neutrality.

📊 Strategic Sites at a Glance

Parc Mawr, Penllergaer
644 planned | 119 built

Garden Village, Gorseinon
700 planned | 24 built

Pontarddulais
486 planned | 0 built

Morriston, Clasemont Road
490–600 planned | 0 built

Cefn Coed Hospital, Tycoch
371 planned | 73 built (before the LDP, none since)

Waunarlwydd / Fforestfach
716 planned | 0 built

Gowerton, Fairwood Terrace
664 planned | 0 built

Llangyfelach, M4 J46
565 planned (LDP allocation) | 0 built

Central Area / Waterfront
856 planned | 128 built

Fabian Way Corridor
525 planned | 60 built

Tawe Riverside / St Thomas
258 planned | 0 built

Total promised: 6,575–6,685 | Total delivered: fewer than 300

Why Swansea’s big sites stalled

The council points to Covid shutdowns, labour shortages, rising material costs, and new rules on drainage and biodiversity. Developers say large, infrastructure‑heavy sites are harder to make viable quickly. Campaigners argue the allocations were unrealistic, too big, or in the wrong places. And Swansea is not alone: Cardiff, Newport, Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot have all reported housing shortfalls.

Evans told councillors the next plan will need to be more selective:

“All of those sites that are identified, whether for housing or employment, are being reviewed as part of the new plan. What we need to do is make sure we’re identifying the most sustainable and deliverable, most appropriate sites for the next 10 to 15 years.”

On top of these challenges, a new environmental constraint has emerged — one that could stall Swansea’s housing pipeline even further.

Environmental rules put housing targets at risk

New nutrient neutrality rules could delay major housing projects across Swansea for months, threatening the city’s ability to meet its housing targets.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has ruled that the Burry Inlet and Carmarthen Bay Estuary Special Area of Conservation is in an “unfavourable condition” due to excess nutrients. That means every new development in the catchment must now prove it will not add to pollution levels.

Ian Davies, the council’s development manager, told the planning committee:

“We have to be sure that the development is not adding to the nutrients that are entering the water course and therefore impacting adversely on water quality.”

He warned that while small schemes such as household extensions can be “screened out”, larger housing projects — from single dwellings to 500‑home estates — will be on hold unless developers can demonstrate nutrient neutrality.

“Some of the larger applications… are going to be on hold. My feeling is that’s likely to be months rather than weeks in resolving this, even longer potentially.”

The change affects some of Swansea’s biggest growth areas, including the Loughor Estuary and north‑west Swansea, where thousands of homes are allocated in the Local Development Plan.

Cllr Peter Black told the committee:

“This area is one of the biggest areas of new house building growth in Swansea… those bigger applications are going to be massively hit by this.”

Knock‑on effects for viability

Developers will be expected to fund mitigation measures, such as reed beds or land set aside for nutrient offsetting, secured for the lifetime of the development. Officers warned this could reduce the scope for Section 106 contributions, meaning fewer affordable homes or lower investment in schools and community facilities.

“You may see reports recommending approval but not at the sort of levels of policy requirements in terms of section 106 contributions,” Davies said.

Regional challenge, national task force

The rules apply equally to council‑led housing schemes, not just private developers. Swansea is now working with Welsh Government, NRW and neighbouring authorities through a new task force to find long‑term solutions.

Tom Evans, the council’s placemaking and strategic planning manager, stressed that Swansea is not being passive:

“We have a seat around the table at the Welsh Government task force… we are very closely involved in trying to find the solutions.”

Officials stressed the requirement is a matter of law under the Habitats Regulations, not optional guidance, and will shape how housing sites are brought forward in the next Local Development Plan.

What it means for people here

For families, it means fewer affordable homes and more bidding wars. For young people, it means being priced out or pushed further afield. For communities, it means the schools, GP surgeries and roads that were supposed to come with the big sites haven’t materialised, leaving existing services under strain. Instead, most of Swansea’s new homes are coming from smaller “windfall” sites like Cwmrhydyceirw Quarry and Hendrefoilan. They’ve delivered hundreds of homes, but without the infrastructure the SDAs were supposed to guarantee.

The road to LDP2

The council is now preparing a new Local Development Plan, known as LDP2, which will run to 2038. Officials say the lessons of the past five years will feed into it: why the strategic sites stalled, how to make development viable, and how to ensure infrastructure arrives alongside homes.

Evans added that continuing to monitor delivery will be important:

“Producing another monitoring report would help us see whether or not delivery has been significantly affected by these new constraints.”

The draft “Preferred Strategy” for LDP2 doesn’t re‑list the stalled strategic sites by name. Instead, all existing allocations are being reviewed — some may be carried forward, others dropped, and new ones added. More than a thousand “candidate sites” have been submitted by landowners and developers, but inclusion on the register doesn’t guarantee allocation. Only those judged sustainable and deliverable will make it into the next plan.

For campaigners in Penllergaer, Pontarddulais and Gowerton, it’s a chance to argue again that their communities cannot absorb the scale of development proposed. For those struggling to find a home, it’s a reminder that Swansea’s housing crisis is far from solved. The next plan will shape where the city grows for the next decade. The question is whether it can succeed where the last one has so clearly stumbled.

Officials have confirmed that nutrient neutrality will be a core test for candidate sites, with only those able to demonstrate mitigation likely to survive into the final plan.

🗂️ What is LDP2?

The new plan:
Swansea is replacing its current Local Development Plan with a new version, known as LDP2, which will run to 2038.

Preferred Strategy:
Published in late 2024, it sets the vision, growth level and broad approach for where new homes and jobs should go.

Candidate sites:
More than 1,000 pieces of land have been put forward by landowners and developers. These are not allocations — they are being assessed for suitability and deliverability.

Strategic sites under review:
The big sites from the current plan are being reassessed. Some may be carried forward, others dropped, and new ones added.

Timeline:
A detailed “Deposit Plan” with confirmed sites is due in 2026. Adoption of LDP2 is expected around 2027/28.

Environmental constraints such as nutrient neutrality will be central to which sites are judged “deliverable” in the new plan.

Nine Swansea vape shops shut down in major crackdown on illegal sales

Three‑day operation across the city

The closures followed a three‑day enforcement operation led by Swansea Council’s Trading Standards team, supported by South Wales Police, HMRC, Home Office Immigration officers and specialist tobacco sniffer dogs.

Codenamed Operation Ceecee & Marvel, the crackdown targeted 14 shops across the city where earlier test purchases had already confirmed the sale of illicit products.

By the end of the week, nine premises had been shut down, 11 people arrested, and five vehicles linked to the trade seized.

Raids reveal hidden stashes

Among the shops raided was Bob Marley Vapes on St Helen’s Road, whose registered owner was jailed earlier this year for dealing in £100,000 worth of black‑market cigarettes and vapes. Despite that, the store had continued trading.

When officers returned last week, they found rucksacks and bags stuffed with illegal disposable vapes hidden in back rooms. Other shops were found to be using “stash cars” to store contraband, with one vehicle also containing cannabis products.

Shops closed during the operation included:

• Bob Marley Vapes, Asia Vapes and Kubus Vapes (St Helen’s Road)
• World of Vapes (Pontarddulais)
• Crystal Vapes (Gorseinon)
• Morriston Mini Market and Monsoon Vapes (Morriston)
• Snoop Vapes and Bob CBD Vapes (city centre)

Thousands of products seized

In total, officers confiscated:

• 971 packs of cigarettes (counterfeit value £4,855; retail value £15,000)
• 970 packets of hand‑rolling tobacco (counterfeit value £19,500; retail value £39,000)
• 2,292 vapes (estimated value £23,000)

All seized products will now be destroyed. Two of the shops have already been ordered by magistrates to remain closed for up to three months, with further hearings due next week.

Council: “Strong message to businesses”

Councillor Andrew Williams, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services (Performance), said:

“Our Trading Standards Team has made this issue a priority and has been able to gather large amounts of intelligence in terms of which shops in the city have previously been selling illegal goods to consumers, including children.

The latest operation has been very successful in our efforts to disrupt this type of trade and hopefully it will send out a very strong message to other businesses in the city — that they have a duty to ensure they are trading legally and not putting consumers at risk.”

Police: “Dangerous and linked to organised crime”

Inspector Andrew Hedley of South Wales Police added:

“Counterfeit tobacco and vapes are not only illegal, but they are incredibly dangerous for those who use them. Counterfeit cigarettes are unregulated, dangerous and fund serious organised crime. The vapes seized do not comply with UK safety standards and can pose a risk to consumers’ health.

These businesses were all given warnings to stop selling these items but disregarded them. They will now face prosecution for various offences as a result.”

Community impact

The raids drew crowds on St Helen’s Road, where locals watched as officers carried out searches and seized goods. For residents, the operation was a visible sign of action against a black market that has been openly trading in parts of the city.

Related Articles

• Shop raided for selling illegal vapes and cigarettes just yards from council offices
• Thousands of illegal vapes discovered in disused WWII bunker in Swansea garden
• More than 5,000 illegal vapes seized from Swansea shops in Trading Standards raid
• London vape boss ordered to repay £325k after Swansea Trading Standards bust

#BobCBDVapes #BobMarleyVapes #CllrAndrewWilliams #counterfeitCigarettes #counterfeitTobacco #Gorseinon #illegalVapes #KubusVapes #Morriston #MorristonMiniMarket #Pontarddulais #SnoopVapes #SouthWalesPolice #StHelensRoad #Swansea #SwanseaCityCentre #SwanseaCouncil #TradingStandards #vapes #WorldOfVapes

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOiv5A4iGjY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Excuse the advertising, a good friend running a small local business for local people.
#Pontarddulais

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC5V4PJxv6I&t=1s&pp=ygUSbm9iYmluZyBhcm91bmQgbmVv0gcJCa0JAYcqIYzv
Apologies for the title, it's just me and a DJI Neo
#DJI #Neo #Wales #Pontarddulais

Pontarddulais RFC secures major sponsorship from Persimmon Homes for 2025/26 season

The funding comes from Persimmon’s Community Champions scheme, which distributes nearly £50,000 annually to grassroots organisations across Wales. The latest donation builds on previous support for the club, including kit and training gear for youth and senior teams, and contributions to clubhouse improvements.

Supporting a club at the heart of the community

Founded in 1881, Pontarddulais RFC fields two senior teams, a women’s team, a youth team, and eleven junior sides, with its first men’s team competing in the WRU Men’s Admiral National Leagues.

Huw Thomas, Director, Secretary and Club Operations Manager, said:

“We’re thrilled to be strengthening our relationship with Persimmon after their much-needed support over the years.

For the club to continue to offer what it does in the town—whether that be a team to play rugby for or a place that brings people together—it needs to build partnerships like this.

We’re grateful to Persimmon for the difference they are making for the club and the effort they are making in the town to support us.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Swansea community sports facilities to get £10m boost
Council unveils major investment in changing rooms, skate parks and neighbourhood projects across the city.

Community spaces get £3m funding boost
Welsh Government backs 14 hubs across Wales, including family centres and sports clubs, with transformative grants.

Community celebration for young Penllergaer postmaster receiving royal honour
Matthew Tyrrell awarded British Empire Medal for his outstanding service and support to his village.

Developer’s wider plans for the town

Persimmon Homes currently has a planning application with Swansea Council to deliver over 500 zero-carbon ready homes in Pontarddulais. The proposed development includes a primary school, community building, housing association properties, parks, playing fields, and financial contributions to outdoor sports and public transport improvements.

Sharon Bouhali, Sales Director for Persimmon Homes West Wales, said:

“Persimmon is proud of the partnership we have built with Pontarddulais RFC over the years, so we are delighted to be an official sponsor with them for the forthcoming season.

Clubs like this play an excellent role in the town, bringing people together over the love of sport and providing a place for the community to meet.

Part of our mission as a housebuilder is to leave a positive and lasting legacy where we are, creating a sense of place and supporting the local community.”

The developer has also recently supported Pontarddulais Cricket Club and the Pontarddulais Agricultural Show, reinforcing its commitment to local causes.

#community #PersimmonHomes #Pontarddulais #PontarddulaisRFC

Developer helps West Wales rugby club roof fund

Persimmon Homes West Wales has donated £1,000 to Pontarddulais RFC as part of the housebuilder’s Community Champions scheme.

Persimmon had previously donated £2,000 to “The Bont” last year as part of a long-term partnership with the local rugby club, and is now lending a helping hand once again as the clubhouse needs a roof repair following years of wear and tear. The plans also will see the addition of solar panels to improve the day to day running costs of the club into the future.

Established in 1881, the club has two senior teams, a women’s team, a youth team, and eleven junior sides. Their first men’s team play in the WRU Men’s Admiral National Leagues.

Persimmon Homes currently has an application for bringing over 500 homes to the town, which is currently with Swansea Council for determination.

The plans include a primary school, a community building, housing association properties, parks, playing fields, and financial contributions to outdoor sports and public transport improvements in the area.

The developer says it donates £48,000 to good causes and much-valued organisations across Wales each year. The housebuilder has also recently supported Pontarddulais Cricket Club and the Pontarddulais Agricultural Show.

Commenting, Persimmon Homes West Wales’ sales director, Sharon Bouhali, said: “Persimmon has exciting plans in Pontarddulais, so I am delighted we have been able to support a strong local institution like the rugby club once more.

“Were Persimmon successful in bringing new homes to meet housing need in the town, we’d want future players and fans from the development to enjoy the club facilities, which is why we are more than happy to help with its clubhouse roof fund.”

Huw Thomas – Director, Secretary and Club Operations Manager, Pontarddulais RFC – said: “Persimmon has shown itself to be a strong partner for Pontarddulais RFC, not only through our initial partnership but, offering to lend a helping hand with our roof fund too.

“The general repairs to the roof, as well as the addition of solar panels to reduce our day to day running costs are hugely important for the future of our club, so Persimmon’s help is much appreciated and will be a big boost to the community in the town.”

#PersimmonHomes #Pontarddulais #PontarddulaisRFC #Rugby

Meadow Pippit in the hillsides of Pontarddulais today.
#Pontarddulais #MeadowPippit #Birds #Wildlife #Nature

Residents terrified of ‘intimidating’ off-road bikes in Loughor are demanding action

Photos taken by local resident, Robert Neil on Tuesday (20 May) show five offroad motorbikes being driven down Castle Street in Loughor, with riders – some of which are wearing balaclavas rather than helmets – pulling wheelies and driving in a dangerous manner.

A 67-year-old local resident, who didn’t want her name published for fear of reprisals, said: “I was intimidated by these idiots. I had to stop to let a car through and they drove right up to by bumper revving their bikes constantly. I had to pull to the side to get rid of them. They went speeding off four in a line and easily could  have killed or injure someone.”

Local resident Sara Nabialek said: “It is a massive problem. I live in Gorseinon near the cycle paths and we regularly get off road bikes driving around Parc Melyn Mynach where there is a children’s play area, kids in their bikes and lots of dog walkers.

“Yesterday a lady with sight difficulties and a white stick was walking towards the path with her child when an off road bike went shooting from the main road up the path towards the play area.

“I saw three of these lunatics driving from the housing estate by Asda on the roads, Out onto Valeo roads. These are off road bikes so have no tax MOT or insurance.

“Over the years I’ve reported bikes to the police, I’ve raised the issue with our MP twice and still the problem continues and worsens.

“They ride on pavements, footpaths, play areas and roads and have no regards for their own or others safety. They know the police won’t and can’t do anything to stop them so they continue. I fear nothing will change until someone is injured or worse killed by one of these clowns.”

Writing on social media, Megan Johnson said: “The ones with no helmets and balaclavas I’ve seen around Gorseinon before. These and the E scooters on pavements and roads need to be stopped. Speed bumps don’t work with these kids.”

An anonymous poster added: “They were at the estuary foreshore earlier. Riding along the path while people were walking dogs there. A matter of time before someone gets injured.” 

The police have said they have had an increasing number of calls about off-road bikes in the area, and are calling on the public to report sightings so they can respond more effectively.

A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: “We received a report of off-road bikes and/or e-bikes being ridden anti-socially in the area of Castle Street, Loughor, Swansea at around 6.45pm on Tuesday May 20.

“We have had an increase in calls regarding off-road bikes in and around the Loughor and Pontarddulais areas in recent weeks.

“The local Neighbourhood Policing Team are aware of this matter and looking at possible solutions to address the issue. PCSOs have attended the area to reassure the community.

“We encourage reports from members of public so that we can identify patterns and trends to respond more efficiently. If you know the identity of any of the riders involved in this anti-social behaviour, please report it to us via 101, quoting 2500159794.”

#antisocialBehaviour #featured #Gorseinon #Loughor #offRoadBikes #Pontarddulais #SouthWalesPolice

Work complete at Pontarddulais skatepark

Swansea Council says the new facility is part of its commitment to invest £2.8m in neighbourhood skate parks across the city by working in close partnership with local communities and a specialist design company called Curve Studio.

Coloured predominantly in red and green, the new concrete facility at Coed Bach Park replaces an old metal ramp that had been in place there beforehand. It includes two back-to-back mini ramps, a volcano, a pump roller, a seating area and a soft landscaped space.

Work has also now started to make improvements to the existing skate park at Parc Melin Mynach in Gorseinon.

Council plans mean most people won’t have to travel more than two miles to reach a redeveloped skateboarding or wheel sports facility once the investment is complete.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “Skateboarding, BMXing and other wheel sports are very popular in Swansea, but many of our young people have had to look elsewhere for quality facilities to pursue their hobbies in recent years because the standard of the facilities here hasn’t been good enough.

“This is why we’re investing close to £3m in neighbourhood skate parks across the city because it will help meet demand while also raising Swansea’s profile as one of the UK’s best destinations for wheel sports.

“The completion of the upgrade work at Coed Bach Park is one example of many other schemes that will soon be following suit in other parts of the city to benefit young people in all our communities.

“It follows-on from our major investment in playgrounds throughout Swansea in a boost for local families and young children.”

Other sites already announced for skate park improvements include a skate plaza at Victoria Park, as well as neighbourhood skate parks at Mynydd Newydd in Penlan and the Phoenix Centre in Townhill. There are also plans for a new pump track for novice and junior BMXers at Melin Mynach and the existing pump track at Clyne Valley will be undergoing a refurbishment.

#BMX #CurveStudio #Pontarddulais #SkatePark #Skateboarding #SwanseaCouncil

Pontarddulais dad first in Wales to get life-saving new treatment for heart failure

Andrew Lewis felt so ill he ended up in the Emergency Department in Morriston Hospital and spent more than a week on a ward there.

Previously, the 56-year-old could not walk upstairs without struggling for breath. He was off work for two months and was facing up to the possibility of not being able to return.

Now the married dad of two from Pontarddulais, near Swansea, is feeling great, enjoying walking again and not just back in work but putting in extra hours to cover for an absent colleague.

“I can’t believe the turnaround,” said Andrew, who now only has to take five tablets a day. “I started feeling better straight away. It’s amazing what some tablets can do.”

Heart failure is a long-term condition where the heart function is impaired and unable to adequately pump blood around the body.

It can be caused by a number of problems including heart attacks, high blood pressure and arrhythmias.

While it can occur at any age, it is more common in older people. Heart failure cannot be cured but symptoms can be controlled and prognosis improved with optimal treatment.

Now an innovative new and improved treatment strategy for eligible patients is available at Morriston Hospital, the only site in Wales and one of just three in the UK to introduce it.

It could potentially benefit around 500 people, or 10 per cent of all heart failure patients in the Swansea and Neath Port Talbot areas.

Research has shown it will lead to a faster improvement in quality of life for eligible patients and could help reduce pressure on NHS services.

Traditionally, it can take up to six months or even longer to initiate and optimise therapies for heart failure patients.

However, an international study called STRONG-HF showed that early and quicker increases in doses of medication reduced symptoms and hospital readmissions.

Swansea Bay University Health Board has been working in partnership with Roche Diagnostics to adopt the ground-breaking new treatment strategy, which has been endorsed by the European Society of Cardiology.

Morriston Hospital-based Dr Parin Shah, a cardiology consultant specialising in heart failure, said: “The medications used are quite powerful.

“They help the heart tremendously, but they affect the patient’s blood pressure and their kidney function, which could cause problems in optimising the treatment.

“Hence the guidance, until recently, was to take a slow approach to optimising the treatment for heart failure which could take six months or longer.

“However, STRONG-HF has shown that it is not only safe to optimise medications within six to 10 weeks but provides rapid symptom benefit to patients.

“Not everyone will be eligible for this. Some people may not be able to tolerate such intensive treatment. We knew it would be suitable for relatively few people, but it would benefit them considerably.”

Dr Shah said the heart failure nurses were involved in their direct care, helping them through their inpatient journey, supporting them at discharge and educating them about their heart condition.

“And then they are seen in the community by the community heart failure pharmacists or nurses who optimise their treatment in those six to 10 weeks rather than six to 10 months,” he added.

Andrew had not been well for several months by the time he arrived in the Emergency Department last November.

“I had swelling of the legs and feet and fluid around my midriff. They found out while I was in ED that I not only had fluid around my lungs but in my lungs,” he said.

“I was in hospital for around 10 days, having medication including a diuretic to get rid of the fluids as best they could, to give my heart the chance to work properly again.

“When I came home in early December they asked if I wanted to go on this fast-track system. I said yes, if it makes me feel better quicker and there’s no real risk of making me worse.”

Andrew had weekly appointments either with Dr Shah or with the pharmacist at Gorseinon Hospital. He will be undergoing further tests to try to identify the cause of his heart failure.

Meanwhile he’s enjoying life and his job with local company John Rickard Motor Factors. He said: “I did consider the possibility that I’d have to give up work. I had never been off more than two or three days in a row before, so it was definitely in the back of my mind.

“I was back in work when work started back in the New Year. As it happens, somebody else has been on long-term sick, so I’ve been doing five-and-a-half day weeks for most of that.

“Yes, I might feel a bit tired now and again but that was the norm anyway. Going back to the end of November, I could not have envisaged this. I’d had some good days and thought, what if I go back to work part-time? Let’s do a few hours in the morning.

“That’s what I had in mind. But the treatment and the tablets I’ve been on have made quite a difference. So yes, I am definitely glad I took part.”

Dr Shah said the service was proud to be among the earliest adopters of the new treatment strategy and enthusiastic about the improvements it could bring to patients’ quality of life.

“I’ve seen that these patients recover much faster, as STRONG-HF suggested,” he said. “And because we are seeing these patients more frequently, but in a shorter period of time, we are getting them through the system more quickly and hopefully that will free up capacity.”

Katherine Booth, Clinical Marketing Manager – Cardiac for Roche Diagnostics UK and Ireland, said: “We know this small but significant change to the management of heart failure could improve the lives of many patients.

“We are delighted to be working with Swansea Bay University Health Board on introducing this improvement. We hope to partner with more NHS organisations to ensure even more patients can benefit from it.”

(Lead image: Swansea Bay NHS)

#cardiology #heartAttack #MorristonHospital #Pontarddulais #Swansea #SwanseaBayNHS