'The whole area needs our help' (From Barry And District News)

'The whole area needs our help'

BARRY councillors say the town needs to take a 'holistic approach' when tackling the Knap Lido problem.

Cllr Nic Hodges and Cllr Steffan William, both of Plaid Cymru, say the only way to solve the issue is to look at the area at a whole.

They claim the full picture needs to be studied rather than just focusing on the problem of the derelict pool.

Cllr Steffan Wiliam, who says he has been inundated with ideas from all over Barry about the popular but run-down beauty spot, is worried the debate over the lido will over-shadow the need for action on the whole area.

He told the News: "The amount of letters we've had is encouraging, and we want to hear from anyone with an opinion on this matter. For example, one local gave me ideas that he'd obviously thought through and in a meeting I had with council officers, all of them were taken on board."

Cllr William is now eager to get more residents involved in the discussions.

He added: "Plaid Cymru's view is that we cannot forget the rest of the Knap. I'm sure people notice the state of the water in the lake and the Knap gardens."

Together with Cllr Nic Hodges, Cllr William is in constant talks with the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

Cllr Hodges said: "We've been assured that there will be full public participation in the future of the pool."

Whilst Cllr Steffan Wiliam stressed: "What we want is a holistic solution - not just cleaning up one area, but all of it. It will take a lot of money and time. But the more ideas we have to work from, the more chances the people will have what they want."

Got an idea? Write to the News with your views.