Barry Waterfront development could be delayed (From Barry And District News)
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Barry Waterfront development could be delayed
10:08am Thursday 14th February 2013 in News
DELAY: The new Asda store in Barry
‘TECHNICAL issues’ could delay the start of the £230m Barry Waterfront development by up to a year, according to the Consortium behind the scheme.
Work was due to begin on the final phase in the large-scale regeneration scheme – The Quays – last summer, and an Asda supermarket scheduled to open in autumn this year as the first major retailer to establish itself on the site.
The consortium has predicted thousands of jobs will be created during the multi-million-pound development’s construction period, with Asda alone set to employ up to 300 people.
The development is set to comprise a minimum of 15 per cent affordable homes, an investment of a further £8m to include local road improvements, a new primary school, sustainable transport measures, and improvements to local community facilities, including water sports and public open space.
A new £5m link road from Barry town to Barry Island is also planned with a waterfront district centre featuring Asda, hotel, cafés and restaurants and up to 2,000 new homes.
The Quays is the final phase in the large-scale regeneration of the waterfront.
A Barry Waterfront Consortium spokesman said: “The preparation of the Barry Waterfront site for future development was always going to be challenging.
“Our ongoing investigative work has raised some technical issues that could extend the preparation phase of the project by six to 12 months.
“We continue to work closely with our project team to minimise any delay and are committed to delivering the first phase of the link road, the Asda supermarket and first phase of housing as soon as possible.”
An Asda spokesman added: “We’re obviously keen to come to Barry and to deliver our famous low prices as well as the associated jobs and investment as soon as possible.
“Where hurdles exist we’ll work alongside our partners and do our best to keep things on track.”
Plans were initially put forward in August 2009 by the consortium of developers made up of Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd, Persimmon Homes and BDW Trading (Barratt South Wales).
Planning permission was unanimously agreed in July 2011 by the Vale’s planning committee.
