THE regeneration of Barry Island’s eastern promenade has been recognised as one of the best examples of planning and design in the UK by the Royal Town Planning Institute.

The £3m investment in the resort was shortlisted for the prestigious Excellence in Planning and Design for the Public Realm Award and featured as part of a showcase of excellence in town planning at the annual RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence ceremony held in London on Monday, July 6.

The improvements to the eastern promenade have been instrumental in revitalising Barry Island.

The scheme incorporated the upgrading of the Grade II Listed Edwardian shelter, the re-use of the former 1930's changing facilities as modern toilet facilities, new interactive public art, the creation of distinctive new beach huts and creating a new network of footpaths that change the way that people currently experience the Eastern Promenade, the beach and Nell's Point.

At the awards ceremony it was recognised that the Eastern Promenade of Barry Island has been and continues to be at the centre of a significant regeneration initiative.

Councillor Lis Burnett, cabinet member for regeneration, praised the hard work of those that had delivered the scheme and the impact it has had on the resort.

“Even though we are only at the beginning of the summer season there is a palpable buzz around Barry Island," she said. "This is because the resort is looking better, and attracting more visitors and more attention, than ever.

“It is great to see so many people keen to associate their name with Barry Island’s recent successes.

"But it is important that the work of those who actually delivered the project is recognised. The new-look promenade that now greets visitors to the resort is the result of the vision and hard work of Council staff, the resourcefulness of the Island’s traders, and the financial support of Welsh Government.

"I am delighted to see their efforts recognised by the UK’s leading planning body.”

The Barry Island regeneration initiative was planned and delivered by the Vale of Glamorgan Council with funding support from the Welsh Government.

The scheme was one of two Welsh regeneration projects to be shortlisted in the public realm category alongside the River Taff Central Link and the overall winner, the Merthyr Tydfil's Penderyn Square.