RECENT rumours that the £230m Barry waterfront development has been delayed due to contamination, have been dismissed by the consortium behind the scheme.

The developers – Persimmon Homes, Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd, and BDW Trading (Barratt South Wales) – said the multi-million pound large-scale regeneration project, The Quays, is on schedule with the first homes offered for sale this August.

An application for the development of Phase 1, Powell Duffryn Way, of a district centre comprising of an Asda foodstore and two non food retail units, with associated petrol filling station, car parking, access works and landscaping, is set to go before planners today. (March 13)

Work was halted in July 2012 when contamination levels were discovered to be higher than first thought.

It resumed in September 2012.

Barry Waterfront Consortium spokesman, Richard Keogh said: “It is still a muck shift operation.

“As reported in 2012, further site investigations highlighted unexpected technical issues. The consortium and contractor worked together to overcome these problems but they have delayed the project by circa 15 months. There has been no further delay since this.

“We are on target to commence building new homes at site this summer.

“These new homes will be offered for sale from August 2014 along with the opening of our new sales centre.

“Asda will commence construction of their new store late summer.

“The first phase of the link road will open in early 2015 allowing new residents to move in. Asda will open their new store at the same time.

“The link road agreement with the council and Welsh Government is imminent and we hope to be able to complete the link road next year. .

“The consortium remains totally committed to this major project and continue to drive the preparatory works forward as quickly as possible.”

Baruc councillor, Steffan Wiliam said he was hopeful the development would be completed on time and the road would not be delayed.

Vale Council director of development services, Rob Thomas said he and council officers regularly met with the consortium and its advisors on a range of matters.

He said: “The scheme is progressing with discussions between the Council and the consortium currently focussing on bringing forward the link road proposals as well as ensuring that progress is made on phase 1 of the development which includes a new retail store and a significant number of new homes."