The Partnership Board of the Barry Regeneration Area will focus its efforts on the regeneration of Barry Island over the next financial year.

By March, the Welsh Government will have invested £6.5m through the programme since 2010, delivering a range of benefits from improving links between the town centre and the Waterfront to enhancing community spaces.

At a meeting of the Regeneration Area Partnership Board, which was attended by Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage, Huw Lewis, the Vale of Glamorgan council was asked to develop proposals for a portfolio of strategic investment projects to develop the Barry Island resort, which includes proposals for developing the Nell’s Point area. This portfolio of projects will be the focus for the investment of the 2013/14 Barry RA budget of £3.3m.

-- Advertisement --

Speaking after the meeting, the Minister said: "Barry Island has the potential to be the jewel, not just of Barry's crown, but of the whole of South Wales in terms of attracting visitors from the local area and further afield. Its natural assets such as the Blue Flag beach at Whitmore Bay, Jackson's Bay and the stunning views from Nell's Point and Friar's Point are what attracted tourists to the area in the first place.

"The tourists of today however have different needs and this is why I am pleased that the Vale of Glamorgan Council has ambitious plans to redevelop the area into an all-year destination with indoor activities and that the Regeneration Board has agreed to make Barry Island a priority for 2013-14. Redeveloping the Island will have far-reaching benefits for the whole of Barry and the surrounding area by attracting both day visitors and those from further afield who will stay longer."

(CD/GK)