Council agree to tidy Knap (From Barry And District News)

Council agree to tidy Knap

BARRY'S crumbling Knap lido area is to be cleared and brought back into public use.

In a statement, the Vale of Glamorgan Council, has confirmed that it will, at long last, tidy up the area.

Confirming that £112,000 has been earmarked for the project, leader Cllr Jeff James said: "The cabinet has decided that, given the pool's poor and deteriorating condition and prominent location, it is prudent to secure a cleared site."

He described reports that a housing development was to be put on the site imminently as 'unhelpful and mischievous' but said there may be some need for residential development. He told the News: "I must stress, at this stage, that the council's cabinet has not yet made any decisions in relation to the longer term future of the site.

"In conjunction with the consultants, the council will produce a draft development brief for the site and this will be the subject of public consultation."

The news has been broadly welcomed in the town.

Daily visitors to the Knap, John James, 72, from Romilly Park Road, and Milbro Carpenter, 67, of Pencoedtre, insist a lot of work is needed.

John said: "It's obvious the pool is too dilapidated to repair, but it's about time the council listened to the people. It's not just the pool. The swans need a habitat, and the whole infrastructure of the Knap is crumbling."

Milbro added: "The plans are welcome. If they did start building, it would lead the way for more developments. I have to come from Pencoedtre to walk Josie, because there is so little open space left. Losing the Knap would be dreadful."

The council will earmark £112,000 in the 2003/2004 financial year for the clearance work, including filling in the pool, demolishing buildings, subject to Conservation Area consent, and landscaping the area.