Barry's levelling up funds: Potential new water sport centre

Vale Council leader Lis Burnett says she welcomes the announcement, while Vale MP, Conservative Alun Cairns, has described the funding as a “game-changer”.

On November 20, the UK Government awarded seven projects in Wales grants totalling £111 million to support long-term regeneration which included Port Talbot, Rhyl and Powys, along with Barry.

This funding comes merely weeks after Barry won a £20 million share of an £80 million pot, along with Merthyr Tydfil, Wrexham and Cwmbran, as part of investment into towns the UK Government said had been “taken for granted".

It all sounds good - some would say too good - with £20 million having to stretch a long way to cover the building of a marina, water sports centre, and business space, however Mr Cairns assured us, after the plans were “revalidated” to make sure everything “stacks up” – a “matter of process” we were told - £20 million should be sufficient for the projects to go ahead.

Mr Cairns said the project will also be supported by the creation of more house building in the area through a deal with Associated British Ports.

The idea of building a marina and moving the yachts in might seem a peculiar way to level up the playing field, however Mr Cairns assured us the marina will be built for local people with the creation of the Ocean Water Sports Trust’s (for which he is a trustee) flagship water sports centre.

“This means local people will have a flagship building that will give them the skills and equipment to use the marina as local residents,” said Mr Cairns.

Big changes could be coming to the Waterfront (Image: Newsquest)

'The Mole' where a lot of the development is planned (Image: Google Maps)

With the Vale Council’s dire financial outlook, perhaps it's no surprise the leader, Labour’s Lis Burnett, welcomed the funding from the opposition.

On the announcement, Cllr Burnett spoke in glowing terms and confirmed the council will work with the UK Government to deliver.

“This funding will enable us to take the transformation of Barry, and in particular the Waterfront, to the next level,” said Cllr Burnett.

“At a time when the council’s budgets are under significant strain, this additional funding will provide money for the longer-term to deliver improvements that otherwise we simply could not afford. 

“The two regeneration projects will focus on creating sustainable jobs, more opportunities for learning and training, improved public infrastructure, and through it a better connection between the town centre and Waterfront. 

“The Making Waves initiative is one we have developed with local communities, and to have a chance to put into action plans that our residents have helped create is tremendously exciting.”

Vale Council say they will be working with the UK Government to finalise the details in the coming weeks, with the Making Waves project looking to be delivered over the next three to five years.

What do you think of the plans for the waterfront? Great news for Barry? Will it happen? What would you have spent £20m on in Barry? Let us know in the comments, on our Facebook page, or email harry.jamshidian@newsquest.co.uk.