I WAS surprised to learn at a recent meeting between Barry Island Traders and the Vale Council that yet another proposal for the land at Nell’s Point had been rejected.

The scheme was apparently for a themed indoor water park resort (slides, lazy river, wave pools etc with combined tourist accommodation), arising from the VoG recent attempt at marketing this land.

How annoying is this from both a business perspective and for the future of the town as a tourist resort. It would provide much needed jobs, valuable amenities that we do not currently have, and a massive tourism spin-off for the resort.

I understand the VoG reason for refusal was that it would have taken too long to build - and this is after almost 20 years of the land being vacant.

So many good ideas have come forward for this land over the years and every time they are rejected outside of the public gaze.

It’s about time decision-takers were held to account. It can't just be all about building endless flats and houses. How about making a decision that actually benefits the town for once in a while. You never know, it just might work!

Jonathan Osborne

FocusBarry member