Waterfront concerns (From Barry And District News)

Waterfront concerns

9:10am Thursday 2nd July 2009

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THERE have been several letters of concern from Barry residents in our local newspapers referring to the recent ‘Waterfront Exhibition’.

Following those comments and the marketing exercise conducted by the house building consortium, I recently read the related report to the Planning Committee, June 18, 2009, on the council’s website.

I found the exhibition and the committee report unhelpful in disclosing what will happen with this development.

Indeed, one conclusion from the committee report is ‘that the Barry Waterfront Development Principles Document as contained at Appendix B be approved’ – but I could not even find Appendix B with the committee report.

I have many concerns about the proposals and it would be very helpful if the planners, politicians or the consortium could give some clear and unambiguous answers to some basic questions.

The council’s draft plan for the future talks about exploiting the town’s ‘proximity to the M4’ – so when and what explicit improvements are to be made to the pre-war roads in and out of Barry?

What is the evidence of the need for another supermarket? The future plan goes on to say ‘Development will include the continued regeneration of Barry Waterfront into a high quality waterside development incorporating housing, leisure and recreational uses’.

What definite commitments are there to improve the infrastructure?

What firm pledges are there to attract visitors to the town?

What recreational facilities will definitely be built?

Given the determination of the Cabinet, many Vale councillors and their corporate management team to build on Cemetery Approach, it will be interesting to observe their resolve with regard to social and affordable housing provision in this proposed development.

So how many of the planned 2,000 homes will be social housing?

In addition, the Cabinet’s decision to amend the words relating to affordable housing from ‘at least 30 per cent’ to ‘up to 30 per cent’ is a complete capitulation on this issue.

Why has the council changed from a required minimum to a maximum of affordable housing, effectively allowing the developer a free hand?

What are the opposition parties’ views on this volte-face? Are any housing associations involved in the development of this land?

What benefit will Barry get from the capital receipt for this land?

Dennis Harkus Cornwall Rise Barry

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