Project Update

Project update: July 2014

Having secured an initial grant-funding package of £542,000 from Cadw-Welsh Government and the EU-Regional Development Fund, Swansea University entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with The City and County of Swansea to explore regeneration opportunities for the hafod-Morfa copperworks site, which contains 12 listed buildings or structures.  The project is formally constituted as the Cu @ Swansea project, and a first-phase programme of activity began in March 2012. 

Physical work on the site commenced in February 2013, organised by the contractor Groundwork Bridgend-Neath-PortTalbot.  This work will clear some vegetation, stabilise buildings at risk, improve access for visitors, lay out trails, and provide information and interpretation for visitors.  It is being supplemented by a community archaeology programme of digs and investigations led by the Glamorgan and Gwent Archaeological Trust.  This work was completed on 30 June 2014.  For details and images see the latest news section of this website.

In January 2013, the Cu @ Swansea project appointed Purcell of Bristol as consultants to produce a master and implementation plan for the site by the end of March 2013.  It is envisaged that the work of Purcell will shape a vision for the site that is realistic and deliverable, and that it will prepare the ground for a major bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund and other funders.

The project now has a ten-year development plan in place and our ultimate ambition is to secure World Heriatge Site status for the Lower Swansea Valley by 2025.

Grant awards to date

Regeneration

£728,000 Welsh Government –Swansea Regeneration Area

£247,000 Cadw-Welsh Government

£243,000 European Union Regional Development Fund

£20,000   City andCountyofSwansea

Academic Research

£102,000 Arts and Humanities Research Council

£102,000 SwanseaUniversity (for two three-year PhD studentships)