Docklands Sale - Re-invest in Barry

Paul Haley from ‘Pride in Barry’ has been running a serious campaign urging the Welsh Assembly Government to re-invest some of the proceeds from the land sale at Barry Waterfront back into the town.

It is estimated that the gross sale of former ABP land to a consortium of housing developers will enable the Welsh Assembly to ‘pocket’ nearly £60 million. Pride in Barry is asking that some of that money be ploughed back into the town to build and maintain essential infrastructure and encourage linkages with the the new parts of town. The argument that the Welsh Assembly, through the former WDA have already invested much into the town is valid but in order to protect and preserve that investment they need to keep on investing to gain richer rewards in future.

The waterfront is not finished. More investment is needed so that the local authority can reap additional rewards through gains in local council tax from further developments. Those developments will not take place unless the existing fabric of the town is maintained and improved and more money is invested in projects that property developers will not risk, such as a marina in No.1 Dock, and improvements to the lock gates etc. There is need still for investment on Barry Island - we cannot allow this potential tourist honey trap to be buried under more and more housing.

Seed money should be invested to attract and minimise risk for the developer who could build an upmarket hotel or spa facility on the remaining plot that was once Butlins. Please don’t let the council sell off this plot for sheltered housing, the views from that site are priceless. Astravelling abroad becomes much more expensive and environmentally unfreindly, people will be looking for places to visit in this country. We need to tap into that market so that the local traders can profit and improve their businesses which in turn will improve the ‘value’ of the town and ultimately the lives of all those that live here.

Help Paul Haley in his campaign, visit the ‘Pride in Barry‘ website to find out more.

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