Plans for a £230m regeneration of Barry Waterfront have been approved by the Vale of Glamorgan council.

The plans include a new £5m link road from Barry town centre to Barry Island, a new primary school, hotel, supermarket and community facility, a waterfront district centre featuring cafés and restaurants, as well as up to 2,000 new homes, comprising a mix of private and affordable housing.

The scheme, known as The Quays, aims to create a sustainable mixed-use community focused around the water, with new parks and children’s play areas, waterfront promenades and public spaces to help connect the existing communities of Barry Island and Barry town.

Planning committee members visited the site before making their decision at a bespoke meeting set aside to discuss the development plans, which mark the final phase in the large-scale regeneration of the area.

Members voted unanimously to approve the plans, which were put forward by a Consortium of developers made up of Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd, Persimmon Homes and BDW Trading (Barratt South Wales).

A Section 106 agreement will now be drawn up, as well as a detailed phasing plan for the development before site preparation work can begin.

Speaking on behalf of the Consortium, Richard Keogh, said: “The Barry Waterfront Consortium is pleased that the huge benefits of this important scheme, both for Barry and the wider region, have been recognised in the planning committee’s unanimous resolution to grant planning permission, subject to the signing of the Section 106 agreement.

“The Quays, together with the proposed link road to Barry Island, is a large and complex regeneration project that has met significant challenges along the way, but this decision represents an important milestone. However, there is still much to be done and the Consortium will continue its work with the Council to reach the necessary agreements that will allow us to move to the next stage, which involves securing the necessary funding to deliver the scheme.”

According to the most recent economic impact study carried out by Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners, the development will pump an extra £150m into the economy over a 20 year period. The construction time on the project will also create 1,700 person-years of full-time employment, while the finished development will provide 870 new jobs (710 full-time equivalent) and 175 (140 FTE) spin-off jobs from companies and services on the regenerated waterfront. It would also lead to the creation of a further 350 indirect jobs (285 FTE) across the south-east Wales region as a whole.

Mr Keogh continues: “The benefits of the scheme are many and varied and will reach far beyond the immediate area. The investment that will go into new infrastructure, including the Barry Island link road, pedestrian and cycle links, public open space, affordable housing, a new school and community facilities will make a huge difference to the people of the town. Add to this the significant job creation, economic benefits and the wider regeneration opportunity that will be created by a scheme. It will send out a clear and positive message to visitors, employers and potential investors who will be encouraged to come and take a closer look.

“The focus now moves to the Section 106 agreement and we would hope to reach a conclusion on this within the next two to three months. Outside this agreement, we will also need to agree a detailed phasing plan and strategies for issues including public realm, public art and biodiversity. As long as the full application for the link road is allowed to proceed without a separate environmental impact assessment, the site preparation works could be underway before the end of the year.

“The site does present significant construction challenges, including some major decontamination and flood prevention measures, which means that it could take up to two years to complete the full remediation works. However, these works would also be phased which would mean that the first residential and commercial buildings could be completed by the end of 2013.”

Rob Thomas, the council’s head of planning and transportation, said: “The redevelopment of the 43-hectare brownfield site is critical to the continuing efforts of the Vale of Glamorgan Council in regenerating Barry.

“The scheme will breathe new life into this part of Barry as a consequence of this multi-million pound investment with new jobs being available throughout the construction phase and the provision of jobs into the future as a consequence of the proposals for retailing, cafés, bars, restaurants and other services.”

Councillor, Tony Hampton, added: “This will do Barry the world of good and put the town back on the map.”

Planning committee chairman, Jeff James, said: “The days when we look out on a derelict former dockland site now seem a very long way away.”

Plans for the £230m regeneration of Barry Waterfront are to go before the Vale of Glamorgan’s planning committee on Thursday 7th July.

Committee members will also visit the site on the same date, which has been set aside specifically to hear the application for the scheme, known as The Quays.

Proposals include for a new link road from Barry town centre to Barry Island, a new primary school, hotel, supermarket and community facility, a waterfront district centre featuring cafés and restaurants, as well as up to 2,000 new homes, comprising a mix of private and affordable housing.

The scheme aims to create a sustainable mixed-use community focused around the water, with new parks and children’s play areas, waterfront promenades and public spaces to help connect the existing communities of Barry Island and Barry town.

The Consortium behind the proposals submitted an outline planning application for the scheme in August 2009, while a further application was submitted for the new link road last summer. In September 2010, the Consortium acquired the final piece of land for the 100 acre site on which the development will be built.

Speaking on behalf of the Consortium, Richard Keogh, says: “We’re pleased that the application is being finally heard before planning committee. This is a hugely important next step to bring this major scheme to Barry.

“The Consortium started this project in 2007, before the global banking crisis and property crash, and has remained committed through some difficult times. Delivering a major scheme like The Quays is a complex process, and the changing financial climate has created issues that both the Consortium and the Council are having to deal with.

“We have also met with a number of local groups during this time to gather input from the community that, coupled with our initial two-day public exhibition, has led to us refining our plans to ensure they bring the right mix of much needed facilities and economic benefits to Barry.”

According to the most recent economic impact study carried out by Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners, the development will pump an extra £150m into the economy over a 20 year period. The construction time on the project will also create 1,700 person-years of full-time employment, while the finished development will provide 870 new jobs (710 full-time equivalent) and 175 (140 FTE) spin-off jobs from companies and services on the regenerated waterfront. It would also lead to the creation of a further 350 indirect jobs (285 FTE) across the south-east Wales region as a whole.

Mr Keogh adds: “Barry has long deserved this level of financial investment. This scheme will provide the catalyst for further investment in Barry and the south-east Wales area, and is a great opportunity to significantly boost the local economy.”

The agreement means that an area of land, previously used as an overflow car park, will be opened up for this coming Easter weekend and other busy periods over the summer.

The Consortium has also agreed to open up part of the land, earmarked for the proposed ‘The Quays’ development, as an alternative exit from Barry Island during busy periods to reduce traffic congestion.

Working in conjunction with the Council and police, the Consortium has been able to reach an agreement, with health and safety and insurance measures in place, that will allow vehicles access on a strictly controlled basis and with entry points manned by the Council.

Speaking on behalf of the consortium, Richard Keogh said: “We are pleased to be able reach an agreement with the Council to use part of our proposed development site as an overflow car park and also open the land to allow vehicles out during peak periods, under the supervision of the Council.

“While the site has not been opened up to through traffic by us, due to it not being a proper and safe route, we hope these measures will help to somewhat reduce the traffic congestion on the Island.

“A key element of the Consortium’s proposals include plans for a new link road giving access to both Barry Island and the Waterfront Development, which would not only provide an alternative route for vehicles, but will also include elements that make it safe for use by pedestrians and cyclists.”

Under the proposals, the road will form an extension to the existing Ffordd-y-Milleniwm distributor road and will run through the centre of the Waterfront development, providing access to a new primary school, district centre and café quarter, community facility, waterside public realm, park areas and housing.

Mr Keogh continues: “We are continuing to work closely with the Council to help bring this vital link road to Barry, as well as all of the employment opportunities and resulting economic benefits that will stem from significant investment in a regenerated waterfront area.”

According to an economic impact study carried out by Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners, ‘The Quays’ will create up to 1,300 jobs across south east Wales, with almost two-thirds likely to be based in the local area, and a further 1,700 person-years of construction employment that would be created over a nine-year build period. The construction phase of the scheme would also result in the creation of an additional 30 indirect jobs at a local level and a further 170 indirect jobs nationally.

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.”

The road will run through the centre of the Waterfront development and, in addition to providing a direct route to Barry Island, will also provide access to the new development, including a new primary school, district centre and café quarter, waterside public realm, park areas and new housing.

The £5million link road has been designed by the Consortium’s specialist traffic consultants to accommodate both traffic to Barry Island and the new development and will form an extension to the existing Ffordd-y-Mileniwm distributor road.

Richard Keogh, speaking on behalf of the Barry Waterfront Consortium, says: “Ffordd-y-Mileniwm has been criticised for its lack of pedestrian crossing facilities, so we were determined that our proposals include elements which would make the area safe for pedestrians and cyclists to cross, linking both sides of the road to one another.

“From our original public exhibition and consultation work, through to our more recent meetings with local interest groups, we know just how important the link road is to people living in and around the area.

“This is a crucial part of the Waterfront scheme and the fact that we have submitted plans for the link road ahead of the outline application decision indicates our commitment to the project.”

The link road forms a key part of the Consortium’s scheme which, according to an economic impact study carried out by Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners, will create up to 1,300 jobs across south east Wales, almost two-thirds of which will be based in the local area, and a further estimated 1,700 person-years of construction employment over a nine-year build period.

Keogh continues: “As well as providing a fantastic boost for jobs in the area at a time when the economic climate is still unsteady, our scheme also represents a major private investment in the regeneration of Barry.

“By providing Barry with a quality waterside public realm, primary school and district centre, our scheme opens the door to further investment in the local area, and follows nicely on the back of the news that Barry is to receive £9m from the Welsh Assembly Government as a Strategic Regeneration Area.

“The outline application is still being considered by Council officers, and we do hope to receive a positive decision soon so we can immediately begin working to bring all the economic, practical and aesthetic benefits of our scheme to Barry.”

Continuum Arts will deliver the programme for the £230million regeneration of the Waterfront, which includes a new link road to Barry Island, 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.

Stuart Clamp, of Continuum Arts, says: “We are delighted to be appointed to such a prestigious, exciting and challenging project. We look forward to acting as a focus for dialogue with the community of Barry, other stakeholders and regional agencies to determine their aspirations for the project. It is clearly important that people from the community play a role in how the project will look.

“We firmly believe that the quality of a place can be improved and enhanced by the work of artists, designers and craftspeople who share their skills and vision in collaboration with the community, stakeholders and fellow design professionals.

“We hope to respond to the history and heritage of the site, while still providing creative, innovative and contemporary artworks. We are also keen engage with the local community through arts activities, interventions and events, and would look to support young, regional artists.”

Continuum Arts has been involved in public art as consultants, curators and lead artists for over ten years, and recently managed the public art programme for the major brownfield regeneration development at Port Marine, Portishead. It has already worked with the Vale of Glamorgan Council on the forthcoming Penarth Heights project.

Richard Keogh, speaking on behalf of the Barry Waterfront Consortium, says: “This appointment marks an important step in how the redevelopment of Barry Waterfront will take shape.

“Continuum Arts has experience in working on community projects and specifically in the regeneration of waterfront areas. Importantly, its work on Penarth Heights also means it is accustomed to working alongside the Vale of Glamorgan Council, which is vital as we work together to bring the vision for the Waterfront to life.”

Dr Jonathan Hicks, of the Vale Heritage Centre Coalition, says: “It is important that, when people visit the Waterfront, they get a sense of the history of the docks and the Vale as a whole, and the public arts strategy can play a key role in providing this.

“I am delighted to be working so closely with the Consortium on their ambitious plans for the development and hope that work can begin in earnest, leading to the establishment of a Vale Heritage Centre on the site. I see the public art programme being used to complement the Centre and to contribute towards the interior setting-up costs.

“This would be a wonderful facility for the Vale and a boost to the Council’s aspiration to increase tourism, as outlined in their Corporate Plan.”

The figures are part of a study by Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners, the consultant that recently produced the plans for an enhanced District Centre that includes a new 4,000 sq ft community facility to be built alongside the main area of the scheme set aside for shops, bars, restaurants and offices.

The socio-economic benefits of the Barry Waterfront proposals could include 870 (710 full time equivalent) new jobs created by employers within the scheme. 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 a further 350 (285 FTE) indirect jobs spread across the south east Wales region as a whole.

These figures exclude the additional construction sector jobs that would be created if the scheme is given the go ahead – an estimated 1,700 person-years of employment over a nine-year build period.

Commenting on the findings of the study, Consortium spokesperson Richard Keogh said;

“We have always maintained that the regeneration of Barry Waterfront would be fantastic news for jobs in the local area but these figures really highlight the importance of this scheme, particularly in the current economic climate. The sooner we can secure a planning permission for the project, the sooner these substantial economic benefits can be delivered.”

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 1,700 person-years of employment 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 870 net permanent jobs based on the site, as well as a further 525 additional jobs across the local area generated as a direct or indirect result of the development.”

Developers behind the proposed £230million regeneration of Barry have set out a ‘green charter’ to explain how the plans could see Barry lead the way to a greener Wales.

The planning application, due to be heard by the Council’s planning committee in the new year, was submitted in August by a Consortium of housebuilders, comprising Persimmon Homes, Taylor Wimpey and Barratt Homes, and includes a variety of innovative eco-friendly initiatives.

Developers intend to use some of the latest bioremediation techniques to prepare the site, a more natural way to improve soil quality that involves adding microorganisms, such as bacteria, to the land in order to break down any contamination.

The planning application also outlines protection for some key habitats, including the cliff at the island side of the development and its base, and protection for key species such as slow-worms and rare plants, which will be moved to more suitable sites where it is appropriate.

The plans also include several eco-friendly development features, such as more than 1,000 new trees, ‘brown roofs’ on key commercial buildings that wildlife can live on, new ‘wildflower meadows’, a new 360m long wetland habitat complete with bird boxes and large areas of green public open space.

Richard Keogh, commenting on behalf of the Barry Waterfront Consortium, says: “These initiatives will ensure that the redevelopment of Barry Waterfront improves the current quality of the land and protects any existing wildlife habitats, while providing plenty of green areas for Barry residents to enjoy.

“We have worked hard with our consultants and advisers to look at a range of opportunities to enhance the environmental benefits of the scheme, both in terms of the construction process and the legacy that will be created when the plans come to fruition.”

The layout of the redevelopment is another important green feature in the plans as it encourages sustainable forms of travel, with cycle paths and good public transport links, including the enhancement of connections to the three local railway stations and a new bus service through the site.

Energy use and expenditure is also a key element considered through the plans. The buildings within the development will be fully-insulated and constructed to require less energy than the current 2006 building regulations. Many will be south facing, to ensure that as much warmth as possible will be gained through the sun, and will have low energy lighting throughout, to reduce energy consumption from lighting and heating, which will reduce bills and minimise the impact on the environment.

The pupils are currently working on a project to come up with their own ideas and designs for the regeneration of Barry Waterfront, exploring factors such as the environment, movement around the site, local character and land-use.

Barry Island Primary School, which was this year awarded the Primary School of the Year at the Keep Wales Tidy Eco Schools Awards, actively encourages its pupils to take a strong interest in their environment and surroundings. The School has also recently been awarded the Geography Quality Mark, Gold status for embedding excellence and innovation in the subject.

The pupils are working one day a week with volunteer Jess Richmond, a professional urban designer and town planner. Jess has been encouraging pupils to be creative in their approach to urban design and is teaching pupils about regeneration by using the local example of Barry Waterfront.

The £230million regeneration plans for Barry Waterfront were submitted to the Vale of Glamorgan Council in August, and include a new link road to Barry Island, a waterfront café quarter, a significant waterside open space and park areas, retail space and approximately 2,000 new homes.

Richard Keogh from the Barry Waterfront Consortium this week went along to Barry Island School to hear the pupils’ initial ideas for the site, and to talk about the plans.

Talking about the project, Monique Heffernan, year five pupil said: “We get to look at things as they are now and think about what needs to be done. We went to look at the site and saw lots of wildlife – including rabbits and dragonflies. However there are lots of things in the area that aren’t very nice like graffiti and rubbish. It would be good if there could be a nature area as part of the plans.”

Classmate Demi McCafferty, added: “We have been thinking of ideas for the area that could make Barry better and more popular. It would definitely be good if it was easier to get to Barry Island where me and my friends live, especially for people who don’t have cars.”

Lacy Sjodin, commenting on what she would ideally like to see at the Waterfront, said: “When I look out of the window over Barry there is a load of empty land. I’d really like to see a waterpark built on the Waterfront – that would be really fun.”

Headteacher of Barry Island Primary School, Janet Hayward, said: “We are very excited about the prospect of the existing wasteland being redeveloped for the people of Barry Town and Barry Island. We are especially pleased that the children of the school are having an opportunity to engage with the developers
and learn about the future of their town.”

Mr Keogh commented: “This is a really impressive school initiative and it was great to see the class really engaging with the plans and thinking about the future of their town. I was very impressed by the creativity of some of the ideas that the children came up with and look forward to coming back in a few weeks to see how these have progressed.”

The Barry Waterfront Consortium, comprising Persimmon Homes, Taylor Wimpey and Barratt Homes, is currently waiting for the Council to decide whether to grant planning permission to enable the Consortium to push forward with the scheme and begin site preparation works next year.