CONTRACTORS have been appointed to develop plans to replace a Barry clinic that has been described as an eyesore by residents.

Vale of Glamorgan Council’s cabinet agreed to endorse a project to regenerate Barry town centre in June, 2021, which will involve replacing Broad Street Clinic and developing affordable housing, subject to planning approval.

The council said it had recently appointed consultants, AECOM, and architects, Austin Smith Lord, to undertake a detailed feasibility study and prepare a master plan for the scheme.

It will involve redeveloping the Gladstone Road Bridge Compound site into a new health centre and the Broad Street Clinic site into affordable apartments.

The leader of Vale of Glamorgan Council, Cllr Lis Burnett, said: “The Western Gateway Project will provide much needed new social rented homes, some of which will be reserved for older people, and a modern health centre for Barry.

“Its town centre location will ensure it is easy to access by public transport and residents will have shops and services on their doorstep.

“The development of the scheme has been informed by our long-running placemaking work and as a result we believe it will truly feel part of the town.”

A planning application for the redevelopment of the two sites is expected to be submitted early in 2025 following a community consultation.

Members of the public have complained about the appearance of the current Broad Street Clinic for years.

Paintwork on the side of the building appears to be faded and peeling off in sections and some residents have called it an eyesore on social media.

Vale Council has been working on the scheme in partnership with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (UHB) and the Welsh Government.

The master plan will also include proposals to improve Gladstone Road traffic junction which will be subject to the availability of additional grant funding from the Welsh Government.

Barry And District News: The clinic (on the left) is set to become affordable housingThe clinic (on the left) is set to become affordable housing (Image: Google Maps)

A Cardiff and Vale UHB spokesperson said: “The Health Board continues to work in partnership with the Vale of Glamorgan Council on this exciting project, which will include a new facility to replace the existing Broad Street Clinic.

“The scheme is being led by the local authority and we are currently involved in discussions regarding the layout of the facility.”

Vale of Glamorgan Council estimates that the project will cost about £18m.

It will be financed by a mix of Welsh Government Transforming Towns grant funding, Social

Housing Grant funding and capital funding from the local authority.