‘The economic offer that helped justify this regeneration has been significantly reduced and altered’
Plans to build a watersports centre and up to 100 new homes at the waterfront in Barry have moved a step closer. Outline plans for the project at Barry Waterfront, lodged by Vale of Glamorgan and Lovell Homes, were narrowly passed by the council’s planning committee with seven members voting against it and nine for it.
The plans are the latest incarnation of a previous scheme to regenerate the waterfront. Prior applications include a now-scrapped marina and business incubation centre.
Planning documents state: “The project will include new college and community facilities which will include offices, educational/training rooms, and a café area overlooking the water as well as changing rooms, toilet facilities, and boat storage.
“These facilities will comprise three elements: boat storage, watersports activity accommodation, and public/education/hospitality space.” For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here
Charlotte Raine, a major project manager at the council, said the new proposal “represents a high quality design-led mixed waterfront scheme”.
She added: “The proposed watersports centre offers enormous benefits. It will provide a permanent solution for training, education, recreation, and community activities.”
Cllr Shirley Hodges, who is not part of the committee, spoke against the application as a ward councillor.
She said: “Is this the transformational regeneration that the people of Barry were promised?
“The economic offer that helped justify this regeneration has been significantly reduced and altered.”
She also criticised the increase in the number of houses being built as part of the scheme – an increase from 65 to 100.
The Plaid Cymru member said: “Regeneration is about the quality and legacy of what is delivered – not simply the number of homes built.”
Cllr Nic Hodges, who is part of the planning committee, also criticised the plans.
He said: “The residents down there do not want this scheme.”
Cllr Hodges added: “The scheme plainly no longer achieves the wider place-making ambition.”
Cllr Mark Wilson supported the application and cited the need for housing in the area.
He said: “It’s going to be delivered for the people of Barry on an affordable basis. This is something that we desperately need in this area of Barry.”
Cllr Ian Buckely was disappointed the marina was no longer part of the plans, as “everyone wanted to have the marina”, but still said the benefits of the watersports facility will be “significant for the people of Barry”.
As only outline permission has been granted further details will be revealed through the course of new applications.
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