Landmark set to disappear (From Barry And District News)

Landmark set to disappear

THE FATE OF one of Barry's best-loved features has been sealed after it was revealed that funding has been found to raze it to the ground.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council has secured cash to demolish the remaining buildings of Butlins holiday camp at Barry Island.

A package of around £900,000 from the Welsh Assembly Government, under its Physical Regeneration Fund (PRF), will enable the local authority to complete the ongoing environmental restoration of the neighbouring headland.

The demolition of the remainder of the former holiday camp will remove a major eyesore, and establish a strategically important 10 to 11 acre development site in the heart of the Barry Island seaside resort overlooking Whitmore Bay.

The council and the WDA are continuing discussions with the University of Wales Institute Cardiff (UWIC) regarding the possibility of the site being redeveloped as a new university campus, called the Wales International Centre for Hospitality and Leisure Management.

The proposal is for an ambitious new multi-million pound centre of excellence for training and human resource development for the Wales' tourism industry.

If successful, this would place Barry at the cutting edge of the tourism industry, establishing it as a university town and giving it a new role within the Welsh economy.

Council leader Cllr Jeffrey James said: "I am delighted the council has been rewarded for its hard work in preparing the grant application for this important project.

"I am grateful for the support from the Welsh Assembly and its confidence in the ongoing regeneration work within Barry and the Vale."

WDA Area Development Manager, Andrew Dakin, said: "It is extremely good news that the Vale Council has secured a Welsh Assembly Physical Regeneration Fund Grant to facilitate the demolition of the remaining part of the old holiday camp."

The council will be contacting local residents and businesses in due course to advise of the programme for the demolition of the former holiday camp.

Any further information on the project can be obtained from Mark White, Major Projects Manager (Project Management Unit, The Vale of Glamorgan Council), on 01446 704698.