The Consortium spearheading the £230m regeneration proposals for Barry Waterfront has now completed the land purchase and, with it, has unveiled the development’s name as ‘The Quays’, in recognition of the maritime history of the area.
Signs have been erected on the land acquired for development to mark the transfer of ownership of the 100 acre site from former owners Associated British Ports to the Barry Waterfront Consortium. In order to adhere to health and safety guidelines, the new owners have also taken steps to secure certain areas of the site by erecting perimeter fencing – most notably around the ‘West Pond’ area.
The acquisition would have co-incided with the start of the first phase of construction based on the original timescale. However, a date for the Council’s Planning Committee to consider the proposals has still to be set, putting the Consortium’s plans to create the first wave of an estimated 1,700 person-years of construction employment on hold.
The news comes following the recent decision to scrap a £14bn Defence Training College in St Athan as part of the government’s spending cuts, and the Consortium believes this only strengthens the need for planning consent for The Quays to be granted.
Speaking on behalf of the consortium, Richard Keogh said:
“The land acquisition is clearly a major statement of intent by the Barry Waterfront Consortium to make these regeneration proposals a reality. It is clear from the reaction we have had to our proposals that the local community is very much behind us and we now have everything in place to get the project underway bar the planning permission.
“This is a major investment in the area, particularly during this difficult economic period, and the development will have a real positive impact in creating jobs and helping regenerate Barry.
“With the St Athan project being deferred until further notice, it is now more important than ever that our proposals are met with a positive decision so that we can begin working to bring these benefits to Barry and the surrounding area as quickly as possible.”
The application for outline planning, which includes provision for up to 2,000 new homes, as well as shops, bars, restaurants and offices; new parks and public spaces, a primary school and a new 4,000 sq ft community facility, was submitted jointly by UK housebuilders Persimmon Homes, Taylor Wimpey and Barratt Homes, in August 2009 following extensive public exhibitions. The Consortium has since worked with the Council’s Planning Team to refine the proposals and in June 2010 submitted a detailed application for the link road that will run through the heart of the scheme, providing a new connection between the town and Barry Island.
As well as an initial 1,700 person-years of construction employment being created over a nine-year build period, it is estimated that the scheme could create 870 new jobs (710 full-time equivalent) through employers at the Waterfront. A further 175 (140 FTE) direct and indirect jobs could also be created in the local area as a knock-on effect of the development, with another 350 (285 FTE) indirect jobs spread across the south east Wales region as a whole.
Mr Keogh continues:
“Our discussions with the Council have remained very positive and we have been able to accommodate several requests to revise the scheme in ways that add value to local people – including the introduction a new primary school and community facility. All the preparatory work is now in place and we are keen to move the project forward.”