£1bn Tidal Lagoon with oyster hatchery, restaurant, watersports and visitor centres gets planning consent
The £1bn (€1.3bn $1.42bn) Swansea Tidal Lagoon – an innovative renewable energy scheme which could also feature an oyster hatchery, restaurant, visitor centre and watersport centre – has taken a significant step forward after the UK government granted planning permission.
Proposals from developer Tidal Lagoon Power (TLP) for the world’s first tidal lagoon to generate clean electricity are being masterplanned by LDA Design – the firm which also worked on the London 2012 Olympic Park.
The UK government's energy and climate change secretary Amber Rudd approved the tidal power aspect of the scheme this week and TLP will now negotiate how much of a governement subsidy will be paid for the energy produced to ensure the scheme is viable. A spokesperson for TLP told CLAD a separate planning application is likely to be needed for the amenity buildings.
The leisure aspects of the site are seen as being key to the overall proposition. As part of the masterplan, the lagoon would feature an international watersport centre and oyster hatchery with restaurant, designed by architects FaulknerBrowns.
Inspired by traditional fishing warehouses and boathouses, the 4,000sq m (43,056sq ft) building for the watersport, restaurant and hatchery building would include sports facilities, changing rooms and boat storage.
"Understandably much of the talk surrounding the Swansea Tidal Lagoon has centred around the energy-generating environmental issues. However, the most sustainable projects have both social as well as environmental benefits,” FaulknerBrowns partner Michael Hall told CLAD.
“The same lagoon walls that will deliver a controlled predictable release of energy will also provide a safe sheltered environment for watersports including sailing and wind/kitesurfing. The scale of the enclosure has the added benefit of being an excellent spectator amphitheatre for sailing events.”
The project is also expected to feature an eco-focused offshore visitor centre, which would include exhibition space, a lecture theatre, a café and educational facilities.
Juice Architects has led the design of the visitor centre, working alongside Evolve, LDA Design, Atkins Global and Costain. The design is based on oysters, with the structure offering the appearance of a series of shells, creating an internal area from a range of overlapping forms that envelope interconnecting spaces.
In a recent interview with CLAD, Juice Architects principal Paul Newman described the design as being representative of the project's goals, saying: “Behind the imagery is a beautifully-crafted exhibition and leisure space to explain the story of the lagoon, its construction, how the energy is captured and the benefits of this renewable energy source."
“The exhibitions will be interactive, fun and educational, as well as explaining the culture of the local area. It will focus strongly on the natural environment and how we should respect and live in harmony with our world.”
Planning permission is expected to be sought for the leisure aspects of the scheme, while negotiations will commence negotiations over energy subsidies. A final decision could be made before the end of 2015, which would pave the way for an opening date in Q3/Q4 2018.
WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Juice Architects' Paul Newman talks about designing the Swansea tidal lagoon visitor centre
Negotiations opening for LDA Design's £1bn tidal lagoon project
Plans unveiled for Swansea Bay watersport centre and oyster hatchery
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
