Barry Cemetery Approach Road Development

The debate is raging at the moment about the approach road to the cemetery and the proposal to build up to 60 houses along it. Is this sacrilidge?

No of course not.

First of all there is a shortage of good housing land available in Barry, there is also a shortfall in social housing stock. The site identified is available because the local authority has closed the former horticultural nurseries which occupied the site.

The site is empty, available and the Council needs additional funding as it will need to cut services even further next year. What are the alternatives that will make better economical use of the site?

The arguments against developing housing along this avenue are rather weak in my opinion. Yes it is an attractive, wide, tree lined avenue which sees little traffic and historically it was a formal approach to the cemetery. However, the cemetery isn’t as popular as it once was, people are now opting for cremation over burial. There is, in fact, a very good argument that Barry should have its own crematorium to save the arduous trek all the way down to Coychurch and back.

There is already plenty of residential development around the cemetery, this new development will add a fraction more. The cemetery itself remains an oasis of peace and tranquility on the inside and with careful management will remain so for a long time. Mourners tend to arrive at the cemetery by car anyway so will be sheltered from any residential noise. I am sure that Council Planners can stipulate that the development respects the majesty of the approach road and will seek to protect the trees along it.

It is an opportunity now for the council planners to ‘raise the bar’ for social housing development. A design brief should be drawn up for this site which would ensure that the quality and design of these new residential units is of the highest standard and respects the historical and environmental context of the area.

Maybe something like this?

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