Traders attack new Waterfront proposal.
Byline: Peter CollinsPLANS for the most ambitious development to date at Barry Waterfront have been unveiled.
Shops, restaurants, bars, a doctor's surgery and crche, health and fitness club, houses and apartments are earmarked for a six-acre site called Holton Reach.
It is the first time since last year's failed bid to build a pub on The Waterfront that developments, other than housing, have been put forward for the multi-million pound complex.
But leading traders continue to voice concern that the development could have an impact on businesses in Barry town centre.
Meanwhile, plans to remove the Vopak chemical tanks from the Barry Island side of The Waterfront are on schedule. It is anticipated that further restaurants and bars will be included in plans for the site.
An announcement is also due to be made at the end of the month on progress being made on a planned University of Wales Institute Cardiff tourism college at the former holiday camp on Barry Island.
The Holton Reach scheme involves a six-acre site next to where an Argos store and other shops will be built.
Byron Lewis, project manager at The Waterfront, said: ``The changes at The Waterfront have been dramatic and Holton Reach demonstrates the continuing success of the site as an area for prime development and economic growth.''
Ian Metcalfe, director of Cook and Arkwright, one of the marketing agents for the site, said: ``We have been approached by a number of commercial operators in relation to the Holton Reach site. The Waterfront is a superb example of successful regeneration with the development itself creating further demand.''
Associated British Ports (ABP) is using its specialist development company Grosvenor Waterside to manage the scheme.
But Paul Haley, president of the Barry Chamber of Trade, said: ``This is at an early stage and we will have to look closely at the plans and consult with traders before we come to a view. ``It is too early to say what the impact might be on the town. There are two ways of looking at it. The first is that it could attract more people into the town, they will move around and everyone will benefit. The other is that it could hit trade in the town.
``We must make sure that we do not develop The Waterfront and create problems for Holton Road - the two have to be complementary.''
 Printer friendly
 Cite/link
 Email
 Feedback
| |
| Publication: | South Wales Echo (Cardiff, Wales) |
|---|---|
| Date: | Jul 26, 2002 |
| Words: | 396 |
| Previous Article: | MARKET REPORT. |
| Next Article: | Big Cheese festival kicks off with a bang. |