Swansea Point: The development is aimed at giving part of the city's waterfront a new look

Persimmon Homes is the latest developer to pitch for a place in the planned transformation of the city's foreshore, including its eastside docklands and city centre.

They want to build up to 600 apartments and houses, and a three-star hotel, on the brownland site of the former Spontex factory at Swansea Point.

The �60m work due to start in spring 2004 would also create a public square and promenade which would be linked to the marina and city centre area - already set for a �200m redevelopment - with a new walk and cycleway.

The promenade will be extended to connect the whole of the bay area to the river, which will please a lot of people Byron Owen

The Persimmon Homes plan for the rubble-strewn industrial plot at St Nicholas Quay now before Swansea councillors also includes cafes and bars as well as a playground on the site, which fronts the River Tawe where it enters Swansea Bay.

Byron Owen, Swansea Council Cabinet Member for Development, said, "There is unprecedented interest from developers in Swansea, and this is another exciting project.

"The intention is to create up to 600 units for houses and apartments.

"The promenade will be extended to connect the whole of the bay area to the river, which will please a lot of people.

Tallest building

"The plans include the creation of a modern public square with panoramic views of the river and SA1(piazza)."

The planning application is the latest in a series expected to see hundreds of millions on pounds invested in Wales' second city in the next few years.

In September, Dublin-based developers Niall Mellon unveiled plans for the city's tallest-ever building, a �40m, 25-storey tower containing luxury apartments and penthouse-style flats, complete with a rooftop restaurant.

The �200m SA1 "piazza" project will see a long stretch of the busy Oystermouth Road dual carriageway sunk underground, creating a pedestrian link between the city centre and waterfront area.

A further �50m is set to be invested in improving several key sites in the city centre including the Wind Street cafe quarter and the Quadrant Bus Station.