The Barry Waterfront Consortium has submitted revised plans for the district centre at the heart of the Barry Waterfront regeneration scheme, featuring a larger café quarter, a new waterside square and the inclusion of a purpose-built community facility.
The new plans include an increased number of bars and restaurants compared to the original scheme submitted in August last year, as well as the addition of a new community facility, the use of which will be decided in dialogue with the Council.
The district centre, situated adjacent to the end of The Mole, has been remodelled to create a square that will be surrounded on three sides by bars, cafes and restaurants, with the fourth side open to the waterfront and park.
Richard Keogh, speaking on behalf of the Barry Waterfront Consortium said: “Our ongoing public consultation has revealed a real appetite for an expanded commercial quarter within the scheme and we have shown our commitment by continuing to make improvements to the plans as the proposals progress through the planning process. The new-look waterside square, community facility and café quarter will create a vibrant heart for the new waterside development with a continental feel.
“Despite some delays in the planning progress, we are in regular contact with the Council, and are hopeful that the outline plans will go before a planning committee in early Spring. If this timescale can be met and the scheme is given the go ahead, we are still on track for work to commence in September this year.”
The final proposals for the £250 million regeneration scheme include a new link road to Barry Island within the early phases of development, a waterfront café quarter, significant waterside open space and park areas, retail space, and approximately 2,000 new homes comprising a mix of private and affordable housing.
Richard Keogh added: “The sooner we are able to start work on site the sooner local people will start to reap the benefits of this major regeneration scheme. For example, the site will immediately create construction jobs, requiring up to 1,990 temporary employees over a nine-year period.
“Long-term, as a result of the establishment of a stronger and more attractive retail centre and the creation of a waterside leisure destination, the scheme will create 700 permanent jobs based on the site, as well as a further 800 additional jobs across the local area generated as a direct or indirect result of the development.”