A CAMPAIGN to provide a water facility on the former site of The Knap lido has made progress.

Dad-of-two Paul Haley, the former Pride in Barry chairman and former member of the Barry regeneration area board, proposed a splash park facility in July this year.

Mr Haley envisaged the site as having an eco-theme; bringing a new purpose to the area.

The Knap Lido closed to the public in 1996 despite local opposition.

Demolition of the surrounding buildings began in March 2004 when the pool area was also filled in.

The site is currently grassland.

Mr Haley, of The Knap, Barry, said: “I had a meeting with Vale of Glamorgan Council officers from the regeneration and planning and leisure and tourism departments.

“It was an open, constructive, and positive conversation that explored various issues and considerations around my call for a modern, aesthetic, eco-friendly water feature splash park.

“The council are consulting the community on further sympathetic development of The Knap and surrounds and I welcomed the opportunity to continue involvement in the development consultations going forward.

“Since the meeting, the Vale council has quickly cleaned up and switched on the fountain and splash area in the sunken bandstand at The Knap, which is a very positive step indeed.

“I would encourage families to go and visit this quiet and often forgotten area of The Knap, which has lots of grassed area for picnics, and plenty of seating, as well as a lovely central water feature."

Barry already has one splash park in Pencoedtre playing fields, Gibbonsdown, which cost £200,000 several years ago, and was funded by the Barry Regeneration Board.

For information, visit KnapSplashPark on Facebook.