'Please, please build it!' Residents' plea for new city gondola and leisure attraction - but not all agree

Plans are progressing to build a new leisure attraction at Swansea's Kilvey Hill, despite objectors outweighing supporters by 265 to two - but the project has the backing of many in the Wales Online comments section. Councillors have agreed to the principle of disposing of land for the plans, which dates back to 2017 when a New Zealand firm made an enquiry.

The company, Skyline Enterprises, propose a gondola ride, downhill karting, a zipline, a hilltop restaurant and bar, picnicking areas, and upgraded mountain biking and walking trails. Opposition to the £40 million pound project included loss of habitat and recreational space, impact on health and well-being, the project's economic viability and sustainability credentials, and visual impact, among other things.

Commenter Welshman2016 backs the new leisure scheme and said: “We’ve been lucky to have travelled on many tourist gondolas around the world. One of the best was in Queenstown in New Zealand, after travelling to the top, the view was stunning, we sat at the top drinking coffee and chatting to people from all around the world. That put Queenstown on the map.

"The locals were 100% in favour as did nothing to alter or destroy the beauty of the mountain it's on, and brought in many seasonal jobs. Please, please build it.” For the latest Swansea news, sign up to our newsletter here

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User Crickhowell writes: “This project will bring a much-needed boost to the hard hit tourism industry, and will create much-needed jobs. With regards to losing open space, there are plenty of wonderful parks in the city, and it also sits next to the UK's first area of outstanding natural beauty. Unfortunately, there will always be a minority of people who will object to something simply because they can!”

AJcymruambyth says: “If this development materialises it will bring a wonderful tourist attraction and will bring much-needed jobs to the area. There will be great opportunities with spin off employment, such as hotels and catering sectors. This development will bring the opportunity for all to enjoy the wonders and views of Kilvey Hill, not just the adventurous able-bodied visitors/ramblers. The infirm and disabled will, perhaps for the first time, sample all what the hill has to offer.

"There are opportunities for local families to go on a picturesque adventure right on their own door step which would not have been a high priority choice without the ease and the facilities offered by this development."

The weight of objections has not been enough to stall the plans, but Rebelvirago says: “With only two letters from people wanting this ridiculous project I cannot see that it is for the benefit of the people of Swansea. The Council seem to take high regard for students and visitors but the people of Swansea who were born and bred here don’t have their views considered.”

Commenter Bazgtr writes: “Cable car would be more useful going from town centre to the top of Townhill, rather than Kilvey Hill (both have similar view up top), as it would be used by the residents with the added benefit of no more buses trying to get up the hill at 5mph with their smoky diesel engines and the associated running costs of providing the services.”

Lj4 says: "Swansea Council clearly don't care what the people of Swansea think. Access to the land that is currently available to the public will be severely restricted." Meanwhile Diorama writes about another of the concerns in the many objections: "Can't wait for the operating company to come cap-in-hand to us for money to pay the power bills when they realise this will be just another ski slope or London garden bridge."

What would you add to your local area to improve it for all? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.