AN EXTENSION to Barry Island's funfair must be removed, council planners have ruled.

The Treasure Island arcade, part of Henry Danter's Barry Island Pleasure Park, was branded "of a poor quality design and construction" at a planning committee meeting yesterday.

The council's head of regeneration and planning, Marcus Goldsworthy, also said the extension "creates an unattractive frontage that relates poorly to the street scene and the wider Barry Marine Conservation Area", in a report.

Officers recommended an enforcement notice be served to fairground operator Mr Danter to ensure the work is carried out.

A spokesperson for the Vale of Glamorgan Council said: “The decision by the planning committee gives the Vale of Glamorgan Council the power, under the Planning Act, to compel the landowner to remove this structure. However, we hope the site’s operators will engage with us and rectify the issues with the building without any further legal action needing to be taken.”

Mr Danter has said he still believes he was operating within Amusement Association rules.

He further added that he wanted Vale council planners to visit the park for themselves to judge its appearance, arguing that the photographs used as evidence - taken in April this year - were out of date.

"They have made a decision, which I disagree with, without seeing it," said the 72-year-old.

"It’s like using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut. I'm angry with the committee's decision."

He further suggested that other local authorities in the UK had offered operators in coastal resorts financial support, but said the Vale council had offered no such help.

The committee went on to say that there was no assurance the extension had adequate drainage, which would be in breach of a number of the council's environmental policies.

They also said the area should be returned to its previous appearance, with the complete removal of the "unauthorised arcade building extension, including the frame, foundations and all associated materials from the land in their entirety".

Full details of the meeting can be found on the Vale of Glamorgan Council website.