MORE than £1million has been earmarked to transform a run-down part of Barry’s town centre

The Welsh Government and Vale Council will invest £1.5million of funding into upper Holton Road, also known as the Bassett.

Upper Holton Road, from the traffic lights by Holton Primary School up to the Tadross Hotel, is within the Castleland Renewal Area and has approximately 100 properties, a mixture of residential and commercial.

The first nine houses in upper Holton Road have signed up to the residential facelifting programme, due for completion in 2014.

A report recommending how the money should be invested will go to cabinet next month.

The report states the council listened to feedback from a 2012 consultation, with 98 per cent of respondents wanting financial help to improve their property, 88 per cent wanting a grant and the majority wanting improvements to their properties to include not only the ground floor but also the front elevation.

Vale Council cabinet member for housing, building maintenance and community safety Cllr Bronwen Brooks said: “The report will propose that a number of grants be made available to help convert the front of commercial properties to residential properties, to help owners provide independent access to first and second floors where there is a business on the ground floor, and help to replace shop fronts and improve the front elevation of the property."

Businesses that take part and receive a grant offer will be asked for a small contribution towards improvements – 15 per cent of the total cost.

If proposals are approved, officers will begin street surveying and contact potential business owners to participate.