Its location and close proximity to Cardiff, excellent transport links with easy access to the M4 and Cardiff International Airport, together with good rail links place Barry and its surrounding environs in a prime position in the beautiful and prosperous Vale of Glamorgan. This offers huge potential for growth and investment.
Ongoing work for the Council’s Local Development Plan identifies Barry as a key settlement of growth and development. This recognition is in line with the designation of Barry as a key settlement in the Wales Spatial Plan. As a consequence, Barry is seen as the focus for growth and development during the plan period (2011 – 2026).
The designation of Barry as a Regeneration Area by the Welsh Assembly Government in 2010 has been a significant boost, providing further investment in the town to build on regeneration work undertaken previously in partnership with the Welsh Assembly Government. The designation is bringing significant investment into Barry to deliver key environmental, economic and community based projects. This is seen as a vote of confidence by the Welsh Assembly Government in the importance of regenerating the town, building upon recent progress in the town centre, King Square and surrounding environments. There has already been significant regeneration activity in the town driven by a variety of funding sources and this has been complemented by the development of further strategic proposals. This work will be used as a foundation to develop a broader regeneration action plan for the town incorporating not only physical regeneration, but issues concerning housing, skills, inactivity and health through a balanced approach to people and place.
There is no doubt that the designation of Barry as a Regeneration Area and the willingness of key players to submit development schemes for strategic proposals, at a time of economic downturn, cannot be understated and represents a confidence that Barry is a location open for business. The town is in a strong position and well placed to become one of the best places to invest in South Wales.