A MUCH-LOVED, but neglected site in Barry could see ‘peace gardens’ created with £500k of funding - years after it fought off housing development plans.

Barry Town Council last night agreed to stump up £250k out of its reserved funds to enter into a match agreement, with the Vale Council, to transform derelict land adjoining Barry Cemetery.

Cemetery Approach has remained unused and fenced off since before 2008 when residents fought a successful battle to save it from a housing association’s plans for residential development.

More than 12,000 people signed a petition and wrote letters objecting to the scheme which was eventually rejected by the Vale Council’s planning committee.

But at a special meeting at the town council’s offices (March 24), councillors were told a bid to secure funding from the armed forces community covenant grant scheme had failed and both authorities would need to rethink funding and the design, use and landscaping strategy.

In a letter to the town council, Vale Council director of visible services and housing Miles Punter said: “You will be aware of recent correspondence from the Community Covenant Grant Scheme Board confirming the failure, yet again, of the grant application for the funding of land at Cemetery Road. Whilst this latest letter does provide some encouragement of future part funding this is clearly not guaranteed, and I feel our respective councils should now consider options to take this most exciting partnership scheme forward.”

Barry town council leader, Cllr Stuart Egan in agreement with opposition councillors said community groups needed to be engaged to also help sustain the site in future.

Councillors agreed suitable features could include a flower shop or place for allotment holders to sell excess produce, cafe, class-room and wild-life habitat would be suitable features with a use to be decided for the former air raid shelter.

Cllr Egan said: “We need to decide what to do with that. It’s part of Barry’s history.”

Plaid opposition leader, Baruc councillor Shirley Hodges, said she felt the grant application had not quite met the desired criteria at the time, but it was important the scheme moved forward and plans could be proposed more in-keeping with the area.

She said the town council should look at staffing implications and have a transparent dialogue with the Vale Council - taking part in the process throughout as an equal partner.

She said: “We need to get it right for the site. We are not in a position to say, ‘Oh it’s the Vale, we trust them.’ Let’s get on with it. We need a dialogue.”

Baruc councillor, Nic Hodges said the opportunity now existed to create something different for Barry with the extra £100k proposed on top of the initial £400k costing.

Proposing a peace garden with a sculpture, as featured in other UK towns and cities, he said: “This town has plenty of parks. We need to make it a bit different.”

Save Cemetery Approach Action Group chairman and FocusBARRY co-ordinator, Dennis Harkus said it was disappointing to learn the councils’ application for funding had not gained support.

He said: “The scheme appeared to have great potential and would have produced an attractive and interesting amenity.

“However, it was encouraging to hear town councillors discuss how to move the project forward. They were prepared to utilise their reserved funds to jointly finance an improved scheme with the Vale of Glamorgan Council. The debate itself was very positive and fruitful and asking a member of the public to speak at their meeting was another reassuring part of their debate.

“A key issue for the Save Cemetery Approach Action Group is that the councils work more closely with the community, especially children and local schools. Several councillors mentioned public involvement and getting people to participate will be no easy task, but there are many different ways and opportunities for that to happen. Engaging the people will give the scheme currency within the town, allow them to have a meaningful say in the decisions that affect them, and amongst other positive outcomes, it should contribute in reducing vandalism.”

Councillors voted unanimously to enter into a match-funded partnership with the Vale Council and take ownership of the land.

Minutes of the meeting will be forwarded to Miles Punter with the matter referred to the town council’s resources committee and the Vale Council cabinet.