A JAW-dropping new adventure resort featuring a gondola lift, zipline, and sky swing has been recommended for approval—despite concerns over its impact on the landscape.
Plans for the £35 million Skyline attraction on Swansea’s Kilvey Hill are set to go before the council’s planning committee next Tuesday, March 4.
The £35m adventure resort on Kilvey Hill is one step closer to reality after being recommended for approval by planning officers[/caption]
The ambitious Skyline project promises to turn the hillside into a major tourist destination, bringing jobs and investment to Swansea[/caption]
Skyline Enterprises’ first European venture could put Swansea on the map as a top adventure tourism hotspot[/caption]
The update comes after officers ruled that the benefits would outweigh “significant harm arising from landscape and visual impacts.”
The resort, proposed by New Zealand-based Skyline Enterprises, would feature an eight-seater gondola lift whisking visitors from Landore park and ride over the River Tawe to Kilvey Hill.
At the summit, thrill-seekers could tackle a five-person sky swing, a 1km zipline loop, two luge tracks, mountain bike trails, and walking routes.
A food hall with an outdoor terrace is also planned.
While the gondola lift and food hall would be open daily from 9am to midnight, other attractions would have seasonal hours.
Mountain bike trails, walking paths, and a new play area would be free, with a discounted annual pass proposed for paid attractions.
Controversy & support
The project has sparked fierce debate, with 545 objections citing concerns over noise, loss of green space, disruption during construction, and the impact on wildlife.
Opponents also questioned how the development aligns with Swansea’s “net zero” goals and criticised plans to use public money.
Bonymaen councillor Mandy Evans has called in the application, while ward councillor Joe Hale claimed in an email that the project would bring “noise and disruption rather than economic growth.”
However, 40 letters of support have been received, with backers arguing it will boost tourism, create jobs, attract investment, and open up the hill to a wider audience.
The Welsh Government has pledged a £4 million subsidy for the project, of which £1 million is repayable.
While Swansea Council has not directly funded Skyline, it is considering an £8 million investment.
A council spokesperson confirmed that any funding would need to meet certain conditions and be repaid in full, Wales Online reports.
Economic boost
To make way for the development, nearly seven hectares of conifer woodland and three-and-a-half hectares of grassland would be cleared.
But Skyline has promised to plant a diverse range of trees and shrubs, in line with Natural Resources Wales’ long-term plan to replace conifers with native broadleaf trees.
Annual visitor numbers could hit 466,200, with about half coming from outside Wales.
Construction could create 316 jobs, with 110 full-time equivalent positions expected by the resort’s second year.
With an expected 466,200 visitors a year, the resort aims to attract thrill-seekers from across the UK and beyond[/caption]
If approved, the development will reshape Kilvey Hill with new facilities[/caption]
A food hall with an outdoor terrace are also in the plans[/caption]
Parking for visitors would be provided at the reconfigured Landore park and ride, which has 334 spaces.
The planning report estimates that 71% of trips would be by car, 18% by bike or foot, and 10% by public transport.
A separate proposal for a new railway station at Landore is also being explored.
If approved, Skyline Enterprises will need to contribute £30,000 to improve Kilvey Hill’s right-of-way network.
A Skyline spokesperson previously said the resort would take up just 9% of Kilvey Hill, with only the top gondola station being restricted for safety reasons.
The company, which operates eight other adventure sites worldwide, has yet to open a European attraction.
