Outline planning permission for the major project was narrowly passed by Vale of Glamorgan Council’s planning committee, with nine councillors voting in favour and seven against. The proposals include building new college and community facilities, as well as a café, office spaces, and changing rooms beside the water.
These plans are the latest incarnation of a previous scheme to regenerate the waterfront. Prior applications include a now-scrapped marina and business incubation centre.
Many residents took to the Barry and District News Facebook comments to share their opinions, and reaction was mixed, with particular concern about the scale of new housing and a call for more open spaces.
David Knowles said: “Been on about this for decades, leave it as a nature reserve, saw a Heron there last week for the second time also Swans a family of Ducks and many others.” His comment reflects worries amongst some that local wildlife will lose out if the waterfront is developed further.
Several other readers voiced frustration at the seemingly endless push for more new homes in the area. Freya Lea Bowen said: “We seem to be the only place that will whip up houses anywhere and everywhere. Any spare land, a house is being built.”
Wnt App echoed this, saying: “No more flipping houses, for God’s sake! Start building things for people to do! All those business premises are empty. That place could be really nice and a great step forward in Barry’s growth, but if they just fill it with more houses, that says it all. You’re just trying to meet the housing quota.”
Russell Wells asked the council to focus on new public spaces and leisure, saying: “Vale of Glamorgan Council please don’t put houses on the Mole. You keep building more houses, but very few facilities. Make the approach to the water sports centre into a lovely park, play area, benches etc.”
Andy Griffiths also warned against losing open space, stating: “The Mole site should not be used for housing. Not every site in Barry has to be turned over to housing! Let’s have some open space as well!”
Phil Nethercott drew comparisons with other redeveloped waterfront sites, saying: “[Bristol and Swansea] have included tourism and leisure as a large part of their developments, pulling in thousands of visitors, businesses are thriving. Barry Waterfront has a few nice bars and the odd restaurant but are still missing out on a great opportunity, unless things change quickly.”
Others, like John Anzevino, were resigned, calling the decision “The last nail in the coffin for No.1 Dock.”
