IT’S still on! Vale Council is pursuing serving housing firms in Barry with an injunction over failed work at building sites in the area, despite progress being made.
In August, Vale Council leader Lis Burnett blasted the Waterfront consortium – consisting of housing builders Persimmon Homes, Taylor Wimpey and Barratt – for failing to complete community works on their development while plowing on with building houses.
Then, in September, a public meeting was held with residents of Barry’s beleaguered Waterfront area, who were furious at the way building works had been conducted.
One councillor, Mark Hooper, who lives on the development says he has heard from many residents on the estate, angry with the developers, but equally as angry with the council for not fighting their corner with enough zeal.
At the time, Cllr Hooper said: “The council’s leader spent the first half of the meeting asking residents what was missing from the developers, but they’ve known this for years.
“Residents want their council to force the developers to make the roads safe and finish the open spaces they were promised.
“I was pleased to hear the council will now be moving ahead with an injunction at the High Court, but this could, and should have been done months ago.”
In the latest development, the council say they are still committed to pushing the consortium to complete the works they agreed to do – such as building children’s play areas and open spaces - and say work to serve an injunction is ongoing.
Cllr Burnett said: “Having met with Waterfront residents, we understand first-hand the difficulties they are facing and share their dissatisfaction at an unacceptable situation that has gone on for far too long.
“We want all outstanding work completed as quickly as possible and will pursue every available avenue to achieve this. That includes taking legal action, with the developers recently sent communication related to that process.”
However, despite the continued threat of court action, Cllr Burnett said the message might just be getting through to the consortium.
She added: “I’m pleased that we finally seem to make making some headway when it comes to delivering long-overdue community aspects of the development.”
Progress on community elements of the development include surfacing of Ffordd y Dociau, planting of a new wild seed mix between Clos and Lon y Rheilffordd, and paving laid and retaining walls constructed along Dockside Quay.
Read more
- 'Weak excuses' and 'broken promises': Leader's stinging attack on housing builders
- Fury at public meeting about Barry Waterfront development
A spokesperson for the consortium has previously said they are committed to delivering facilities.
The spokesperson said: “We understand and appreciate the frustration expressed by the council and local residents regarding the community facilities and want to reassure them of our commitment to deliver these facilities as quickly as possible.”
Cllr Burnett insisted the Vale Council is not about to give up.
“In regular meetings, we have made our strength of feeling clear to the developers in no uncertain terms and, though the message finally seems to be getting through, the council is not about to throttle back.”
The Waterfront Consortium has been contacted for an updated statement.
Residents of the Waterfront, are you seeing improvements, or is the development still a mess? Let us know, emailing harry.jamshidian@newsquest.co.uk.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here