Plans for nurses accommodation in massive Swansea student complex

Richard Youle, local democracy reporter

The owners of a large student accommodation complex in Swansea are considering the idea of using part of it for nurses.

Bricks Swansea Popco Ltd has applied to Swansea Council for planning permission to use the upper floors of one of the blocks for nurses’ accommodation for one year.

The complex features four blocks off Morfa Road with space for 706 students.

A spokesman for Bricks Group said the first students to live there will arrive next month, although one of the blocks won’t be ready until December.

He said the company has been “exploring opportunities to support the nursing community” but that it wouldn’t be happening yet.

The new accommodation will be more than just a place to rest your head, study and knock up some pasta.

It will have a gym, cafe, welcome hub, picture house, Come Dine With Me-style kitchens, events calendar – and even a slide.

It will be managed by a brand called True Student, which has several other student accommodation schemes in the UK.

Justify demand

The Swansea site was originally expected to open in time for the 2021-22 academic year.

Covid affected construction projects UK-wide, and work at the Morfa Road site also came to temporary halt last autumn when the contractor went into administration. Another contractor was found.

Speaking at the time, a Bricks Group spokesman said: “With new construction partners in place, our plans for true Swansea are on track. We’ll be taking luxury student living to the next level with an amazing all-inclusive student city concept, and we can’t wait to welcome guests for the new academic year.”

Two of the four blocks will overlook the River Tawe.

Other developments have taken shape along Morfa Road in recent years, including a new housing estate at the Hafod end and student accommodation near the New Cut Road end.

Swansea Council planning officers have given pre-planning advice about the nursing accommodation proposal.

They said Bricks Swansea Popco would need to justify the proposal in terms of special circumstances such as NHS staffing issues or student demand.

Officers also said a bus stop and service which was part of a legal agreement between the developer and the council would need to be in place outside on Morfa Road to serve nurses.