Traders have backed bold plans to give Swansea a £1 billion makeover. Developers unveiled details of their blueprint for the future of the city More

Traders have backed bold plans to give Swansea a £1 billion makeover. Developers unveiled details of their blueprint for the future of the city earlier this week, involving ambitious proposals to completely change the face of the city. Hammerson and Urban Splash, the regeneration team behind the new Bullring complex in Birmingham, also revealed they are in talks with retail giants John Lewis and House of Fraser about bringing them to the city. But instead of being concerned about the monumental changes, existing businesses have welcomed the proposals. Tony Collins, of High Street Traders, welcomed the news that money is to be spent on the city, but urged support for independent traders. "From a High Street perspective, any money being spent on the city centre we welcome," he said. "Hopefully, disruption can be kept to a minimum - we havepositive discussions with contractors undertaking work in the city centre about keeping disruption to a minimum and I hope that would continue. "Any money being spent has got to be good for the long-term future of the city. "But I hope, as part of the project, they try and encourage the independent traders in some way, as in major projects they can often be left out. We do not want to lose the individuality of the city." Under the plans, the city's waterfront would be opened up and linked to the rest of the city centre by the creation of a "European boulevard" along Oystermouth Road. The Quadrant and St David's shopping areas would also undergo a major overhaul, with Debenhams being considered for a move from the site in which it has stood ever since the Quadrant opened in the late 1970s. Peter Birch, of Oxford Street Traders, said: "The prospect of what will happen is a revolution for the city. "It is wonderful, wonderful news. We have something to look forward to again. "At last investment is coming our way, rather than Cardiff. "There is the chance we can make the waterfront part of our city centre attractive for both tourists and local shoppers. "That brings the possibility of Swansea becoming the number one shopping destination in Wales, not number two. "But Oystermouth Road is one of the biggest obstacles. They talk of a boulevard, but you can't be dodging in and out of cars. How will they get rid of traffic? "But I am optimistic about it, as we all are. It is about the future of Swansea and we all want it to succeed." Hammerson and Urban Splash have both committed themselves to remaining with the project long after construction has finished. The promise has been welcomed by the Swansea City Partnership, which includes representatives from the public, private and voluntary sector. Chairwoman Rosemary Morgan said: "Developers have a habit of going in and building and walking away, so their commitment is very important. "They have said they want to work with existing traders, and not against them, and to listen to their concerns. "It would be lovely to think it could happen tomorrow, but there are a huge amount of hurdles to overcome first. "They are big, proven organisations, but they also have a very human side."
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Steve Leonard takes a 4 billion year journey from the first spark of life to the conquering of a planet. In a journey from sea, to land, to sky, life More

Steve Leonard takes a 4 billion year journey from the first spark of life to the conquering of a planet. In a journey from sea, to land, to sky, life has evolved remarkable solutions to the challenge of survival. This series visits the crucial moments in life's journey to dominate the earth. 'Seas of Life' reveals that the basic blueprint of a brain, backbone, two legs and two arms was created in the ocean. 'Land Grab' follows life as it changes from a fish to a human; and 'Airborne ...
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