Fforestfach Garden Village

One of the first attempts at a Garden Suburb in South Wales was that at Fforestfach, a small mining village near Swansea. The first scheme of eight acres was initiated by Messrs. Pepler and Allen early in 1910. Many difficulties were met with, but there is now every sign of good progress. The cottages are being built with 18 inch local stone walls. and are therefore extremely solid and fit in well with the old tradition of the place. One hundred houses are provided for, and there is a curved 60 ft. main tree-planted avenue down to the centre designed for continuation when the adjoining lands are developed. Space has been left for allotments, bowling-green, and playground. A Co-partnership Housing Society has recently commenced operations. [The Garden City Movement up-to-date 1913].

A GARDEN VILLAGE NEAR SWANSEA. INTERESTING SCHEME AT FFORESTFACH. Another garden village was inaugurated in the neighbourhood of Swansea on Saturday. At Fforestfaoh, where the corporation of Swansea and the churchwardens of St. Mary's, Swansea, own a little over eight acres of land, arrangements were recently made through Mr. C. C. Vivian (London City and Midland Bank) to let it to a few private individuals who are keen on housing: and town-planning at a rent of £18 an acre for the purpose of establishing a garden village. The site occupies a nice position, with a grand visto of country westward. Messrs. Pepler, FSI and Allen, ARIBA architects and surveyors, are acting for the new owners, and on Saturday. in the presence of a good number of the villagers, the Mayor of Swansea (Alderman D. Mathews) planted one tree, and the Hon. the Rev. Talbot Rice, vicar of Swansea, a second tree to form the commencement of an avenue. Mr. C. C. Vivian presided, and speeches of congratulation were delivered by the two gentlemen officiating and by Mr. Allen, the architect, Alderman David Williams, and others Mr. Allen explained the scheme. He said that new coalpits are being opened in the vicinity, and there is a want of housing accommodation. It was proposed to lay out this site for 100 houses in blocks of two, three, and four, and he invited the co-operation of intending residents as to the individual plans for building There was to be a 60 ft. tree- planted avenue. Space had been left for allotments, bowling green, and playground. The houses would be sold at prices from £200, and the average ground rent would be between £2 and £3 per plot. It was intended to commence operations at once. [Weekly Mail 9 April 1910 page 10 with plan]

SWANSEA GARDEN SUBURBS. There was a Press view on Saturday of the models and plans in connection with the Town Planning Conference which is to be opened at the Royal Academy to-day (Monday), and closes-on the 15th of this month. From all parts of the country and the Continent there is an excellent collection of models and plans. In the English section Messrs Pepler and Allen, architects, of Swansea and London, exhibit a plan of Alkrington Garden Village, near Manchester. The estate consists of 700 acres, and they have made provision for 12 houses to the acre, the avenues varying in width from 70 feet to 50 feet. Another plan they exhibit is of a garden village at Fforestfach, near Swansea. The present scheme embraces only eight acres, but it is planned with a view to extension, when the 60 feet road will form a new thoroughfare of great convenience. Provision is made for 100 houses, with the proviso that there shall not be more than four in a block. The main feature of the lay-out is the construction of a curved tree-planted avenue 60 feet wide. [Cardiff Times 15 October 1910 page 3]