UNCERTAINTY looms over plans for a hotel and resort on Barry Island with negotiations between the council and their preferred bidder coming to a close.

The Vale of Glamorgan council have confirmed that they are no longer in discussions with leisure company Warner, the company selected as the preferred bidder for developing the former Butlins site at Nell's Point.

Vale Council head of regeneration and planning, Marcus Goldsworthy said: “The council’s negotiations with the preferred bidder for the Nell’s Point site have now ceased.

"Despite our best efforts, it was not possible for the council to provide the level of financial support which the bidder was seeking and the council will now review its options for re-marketing the site.”

Warner specialises in "short breaks for grown-ups”, but Island traders repeatedly questioned whether its model suited Barry’s family-orientated appeal.

Some traders have reacted positively to the news that Warner are no longer in discussions.

Craig O’Shea, of O’Shea’s Café and Takeaway, said: “I never did see the benefit of a non-family all-inclusive accommodation. Hopefully the council might consider keeping the car park which is essential plus using rest of land for touring caravans.”

Baruc ward councillor, Nic Hodges (Plaid Cymru) agreed: “I was concerned from the very start that Warner were not the best choice for Barry Island.

"Their model of older clients who would be staying in an all-inclusive-gated resort would not help the traders and economy of Barry."

He went on to make calls for Councillor Lis Burnett, deputy leader and cabinet member for regeneration, to apologise for the "continued failure to realise the potential for this important site and the continued loss of opportunities for our townsfolk".

"It's time to get someone in with experience to market this valuable area of Barry so that we can all share in its future," he said.

Vale MP Alun Cairns said: he thought the Vale council needed to "develop a comprehensive plan to build on Barry Island’s burgeoning success".

"Key considerations such as parking availability and price must be taken into account when developing Nell’s Point, as well as the potential to increase the number of overnight visitors," he said.

“I will be happy to work with all stakeholders as we secure a bright future for the Island through projects to come.”

Councillor Burnett said that the council were taking stock of their options in "an uncertain post-brexit economy" but remained "fully committed to seeing the site developed".

Cllr Burnett said: “The Vale of Glamorgan Council’s economic development team put a huge amount of work into the marketing of the site and the subsequent negotiations with the preferred bidder.

"Over the past 11 months we have held countless meetings with the bidder, their agents, and representatives of Welsh Government, and have together explored a number of different options in an attempt to bring forward the proposed development.

“We made number of suggestions to the developers on how they could close their funding gap. That proved to be the ultimate obstacle and despite the concerted efforts of the council the developers took the decision to withdraw from the deal."

She went on to say: "We will not compromise on quality.

"Any future use of the site has to be one that complements the extensive regeneration and other improvements to Barry Island in recent years.

"Our carefully considered regeneration programme has seen year on year increases in visitor numbers and we will not jeopardise its success in search of a quick fix.”