VALE of Glamorgan Council has described its vision of the Colcot Centre and Butrills playing field transformation after huge backlash from the community.
On April 7, local residents protested against plans to knock down the Colcot Sports Centre and hand the land over to housing provision while simultaneously applying for grant funding to build new sports facilities at the Buttrills playing fields.
In a scrutiny meeting on April 2, resident and campaigner to save the centre Mike Goode lamented the loss of green space under the proposals, despite Dave Knevett, operational manager for neighbourhood services, describing current sports provision on the subject “embarrassing” and explaining redeveloping the sports centre was not a realistic option.
Vale Council unveils ‘ambitious plans’ to ‘upgrade’ sports facilities in Colcot and Buttrills
Vale of Glamorgan Council has unveiled what it describes as “ambitious plans” to “upgrade” sports facilities in the Colcot and Buttrills area of Barry.
A council spokesperson went into detail about the plans, saying: “Under proposals, changing rooms will be built at Buttrills Community Centre, located close to existing sports pitches, along with a new car park, with the current car park extended and Electric Vehicle charging points installed.
“These changing rooms, housed within a new pavilion, have been designed to Football Association of Wales standards and are fully compliant with the requirements for women and girl’s football, the fastest growing sports activity in the Vale.
“At present, with the exception of Jenner Park, there are no changing rooms in Barry that meet these standards.
“They will replace the outdated facilities at Colcot Sports Centre, which is also set for improvement work.
“An area for bike riding, known as a cycle pump track, is to be created there, together with a new playground and potentially a multi-use games area.
“All three of these facilities would be free to use by the local community.
“The work will be financed partly through grant funding and by building properties on land currently occupied by Colcot Sports Centre’s changing rooms, car park and the former Artificial Turf Pitch, many of which will be much-needed council homes.”
The council went on to say the artificial pitch is “no longer needed” given the facilities available at nearby Barry secondary schools and Jenner Park.
The spokesperson added: “By relocating ATPs to school sites, maximum use can be made of these valuable resources, by pupils during the day and the public at other times.
“The surfaces at Whitmore and Bro Morgannwg are best suited for football and rugby respectively, with Pencoedtre offering a club standard hockey pitch, although each surface is suitable for various sports.”
Council leader Lis Burnett said: "This significant upgrading of sports facilities in the Colcot area will see ageing changing rooms make way for ultra-modern replacements located close to the pitches they serve.
“We must be shrewd and creative in how we deliver community projects. These proposals are a perfect example of that innovative approach.”
Read more on the Colcot Centre:
- Barry residents hold protest over Colcot Sports Centre plans
- Barry's Colcot Sports Centre described as embarrassing
Vale of Glamorgan Football League chairman Mark Harvey said: “I can confirm that as a league, we are fully supportive of these proposals.
“The current facilities mean clubs are blocked from higher leagues due to ground criteria regulations.
“We would like to see a women’s league operating in the Vale in future years, but would need facilities that allow this to happen. The proposals at the Buttrills would provide these.”
The public can find out more about the project at a drop-in session at Colcot Sports Centre between 4pm and 7pm on Thursday, April 18.
Any interested parties will also be able to share their views through the Council’s Participate Vale page and as part of the planning process once proposals have been submitted.
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