WORK has begun on a £550,000 scheme to create a community garden and nature area at Cemetery Approach in Barry.

Contractors started work on the site following final approval of plans by the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Barry Town Council (BTC) in September.

The area has been fenced off and was unused prior to 2008 - the year when residents fought a successful campaign 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 housing scheme which was rejected by the Vale Council’s planning committee.

The will see the construction of a new park and small community building on the land either side of Cemetery Road in Barry.

The Vale council-owned land will be leased to Barry Town Council once the work is complete.

BTC which will then take over control and maintenance of the new park.

Vale council leader, councillor Neil Moore said: “Parks and open spaces are what bring communities together and their importance cannot be overlooked. We know that residents have long desired that this land be put to good use and opened up to the public. This council made a commitment to doing just that and this is what we are now fulfilling.”

Barry Town Council leader, cllr Emma Pritchard said: ‘This is an exciting project for the future of the local community in Barry. The town council has engaged with people on this development and residents’ suggestions and votes have named the area Cemetery Approach Gardens or Gerddi’r Fynwent. We look forward to working closely with the Vale of Glamorgan Council to deliver this project.”

The first stage of the work will see the land cleared of weeds and other plants cut back with completion likely at the end of January.

The main construction work will then begin with the scheme is due to be completed in April 2017.