Short term (From Barry And District News)

Short term

I HAVE just returned home from walking my 20-month-old daughter around the lake and the promenade where I pretended to point out to her the many amenities of coastal Barry; the old YMCA building (now houses), the old Bindles dancehall/pub (now flats), the old Waters Edge pub (soon to be cleared of its nursing home residents and, despite a reapplication to become a hotel again which funnily enough was turned down it is to be converted into more flats/houses), and finally The Baths (also soon to be yet more houses). Needless to say we both went home distinctly underwhelmed.

I am sure I am not the only Barry resident to whom it is blindingly obvious that it might be worth some long term re-investment of our money in what's left of these worn out venues as opposed to the 'crushingly original' short term fix of yet more council - taxable housing.

What I find particularly galling, is that despite my having just used the term 'Barry resident' this is only actually applicable to one of the Council Cabinet members, yet the latter continually and arrogantly feel free to turn the once attractive Knap into a whitewalled housing estate, then trot off home to their residence in Penarth and the Vale.

However, to an end on a more positive note, I will sign off by wishing Paul Haley all the best on getting the tall ships event to Barry in 2007, but don't be surprised by then if the ships find nowhere to dock as it's already been filled in ready to put up, yes you guessed it, more houses.

Carry on councillors.

Richard Cook Charles Place Barry