31/1/2007

Demolition at the David Evans site in Swansea city centre will start next week.

An archaeological study aiming to discover and preserve items of historical value has been suspended and demolition will begin on Monday (February 5).

Archaeologists found a ditch on the site that once formed part of Swansea Castle.

Historic medallions at the site are to be saved as part of the demolition process.

Swansea Council says the demolition company will carefully remove each individual Portland stone incorporating a medallion when work starts.

The move has been backed by the developer, Thurleigh Estates, and Swansea Civic Society.

It is said to be a complex operation but if the medallions can be removed intact Swansea Council has agreed to display them in the gardens of Swansea Museum.

This step marks the next stage of a redevelopment project that will see the building of a three-storey shops site.

The castle ditch will now be filled in with sand while demolition takes place and searched with a fine toothcomb once the knocking-down process is complete.

Special hoardings have gone up in readiness for the 16 to 20-week demolition process after Swansea Council signed a development agreement with London-based Thurleigh Estates for the redevelopment of the David Evans site.

JT Morgan, Zara and Slater Menswear have already been unveiled as tenants for the completed scheme and it's hoped the flagship 70,000 square feet scheme will spark further regeneration in the city centre.

A 14-month construction phase will start once demolition and an archaeological search of the ancient castle ditch has been undertaken and the redeveloped site is being earmarked for completion in the summer of 2008.

Swansea Council Leader, Cllr Chris Holley, says demolition will show tangible results that the project is on track.

He said: "The archaeological work was vital as, while we're looking to the future, we also see the importance of preserving our heritage. The castle ditch they've found will be filled with sand throughout the demolition and re-visited once that process is complete. People will soon be able to see work ongoing at the David Evans as we move further towards a flagship scheme that will regenerate the city centre."

Cllr Gareth Sullivan, Cabinet Member for Economic and Strategic Development, said: "This is important news for Swansea city centre as a whole as it shows the project has taken another important step forward.

"The attraction of leading names such as Zara shows investors have confidence in the direction Swansea is heading. The development of the David Evans site is only the first phase of retail regeneration in Swansea and will act as a catalyst for further investment as well as giving shoppers and other traders a huge boost."