Three people, including an 87-year-old woman, have been charged in connection with a protest against a major development project in Swansea. South Wales Police confirmed that all three are due to appear in court next month.
The protest was linked to plans by New Zealand company Skyline Enterprises to create a multi-million pound attraction on Kilvey Hill in Swansea. The proposed attraction includes a gondola lift rising from the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks area to the top of the hill, downhill karting, a sky swing, walking and mountain biking trails, a restaurant, and a children's playground.
Planning and Protests
The project was granted planning permission by Swansea Council last year, with the council and the Welsh Government pledging to co-invest in the development. They hope it will improve access to the hill and boost visitor numbers in Swansea.
Protests have taken place at the site in recent months. A protest was held by members of Save Kilvey Campaign Group on Sunday, November 1. The group claims the construction is damaging the environment and is calling for “an immediate halt to all logging and clearance operations on Kilvey Hill”.
Charges and Court Appearance
Following Sunday's protest, police confirmed that three people were arrested and subsequently charged. A spokesman for South Wales Police said: “Officers attended a protest at Kilvey Hill, St. Thomas, Swansea on Sunday, November 1.
“During the protest, 71-year-old Marcus Bailie, from Llanfabon, Caerphilly, was arrested and later charged with the offence of locking on to an object to cause serious disruption.
“87-year-old Judith Bruce, from Bishopston, and 74-year-old Marian Francis, from St. Thomas, were both arrested and later charged with aggravated trespass. All three will appear at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on December 2.”
Force inspector Mark Watkins added: “South Wales Police supports the right for people to make their voices heard through protest providing it is done lawfully.”
Company Response
According to Skyline Enterprises, tree felling is continuing along the approved gondola corridor at the development site. The company insists that “works are being carried out in accordance with the planning permission granted by Swansea Council and are a necessary step in delivering the gondola line”.
The company added: "Every tree removed as part of the project will be replaced with native broadleaf species, alongside native shrubs and grassland seeding, at a minimum ratio of three new native plants for every one removed. Procurement of native tree whips and meadow seed is already underway as part of the site’s restoration and landscaping programme."
The company has also confirmed that a certified ecologist from Environmental Dimension Partnership Ltd, an environmental planning and design consultancy, is supervising the construction work to ensure strict guidelines set out at the planning stage are met.
