Associated British Ports has today dealt a blow to plans for a Barry Marina, stating they cannot proceed with the significant investment required, putting the future of the development in doubt.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the operators of Barry Port said that it had been working closely with the Vale of Glamorgan Council's Barry Making Waves project for several years, committing significant resources to the project, but a recent market testing exercise has led to its decision not to proceed.
Vale of Glamorgan Council Leader Lis Burnett has called the news "disappointing", whilst Vale of Glamorgan MP Kanishka Narayan says he's "focused on ensuring that the full £40 million investment secured from the Labour Government delivers maximum benefit".
Plans for a marina on Barry Waterfront were first mooted in 2023 by former Vale of Glamorgan Conservative MP Alun Cairns as part of his vision for the future of the town.
A bid for funding was initially made to the UK Government back in late 2023, with the town missing out to Porthcawl, Cardiff and Caerphilly. The £20 million of funding required to move the project forward was secured in a further round in 2024, months before a general election was called.
Following that election, the UK Labour Government claimed that the funding announced hadn't been budgeted for, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves finally giving the project the go-ahead in October 2024.
Now, with ABP stating the project isn't viable, the future of a Barry Marina development is in doubt.
Despite the setback, Vale of Glamorgan Council says it will still seek to retain leisure use on the water by bringing a new water sports centre to the Mole, which it says will be operated jointly by the Ocean Water Sports Trust and Cardiff and Vale College.
A full statement from ABP said, “Associated British Ports is continuing to work closely with the Vale of Glamorgan Council regarding the Barry Making Waves Regeneration Project. We are looking at the right, viable ways we can contribute to the Project and to the Council’s goals, that ABP shares, of driving more growth and prosperity for Barry.”
“ABP has been working closely with the Vale of Glamorgan team regarding the Barry Making Waves project for a number of years, including on the concept of a marina development, and has committed significant resources to the project. We have recently concluded a thorough market testing exercise, utilising third-party experts and including engagement with marina operators, which has led ABP to the regretful conclusion that we can not proceed with the significant investment required in a marina.”
“We remain committed to working with all stakeholders regarding the shared ambition of maximising the opportunity of the Levelling Up Fund award from the UK Government. We look forward to pursuing our ongoing dialogue with the Vale of Glamorgan Council.”
In response, Vale of Glamorgan Council Leader Lis Burnett said "The council is extremely disappointed to learn from ABP that the marina element of the Levelling Up Making Waves Project is no longer deemed viable due to rising operating costs."
“However, despite this clear setback, we remain confident that the Levelling Up funding award made to the Council by UK Government and updated in 2024 following the election of the new Government remains viable. We believe the project can be delivered without the marina component, subject to UK Government agreement."
“The Making Waves scheme will still seek to retain leisure use on the water by bringing a new water sports centre to the Mole which will be operated jointly by the Ocean Water Sports Trust and Cardiff and Vale College. It will also see the creation of a public park for all to enjoy and will facilitate the delivery of much-needed housing."
"The scheme also includes the upgrading of the Grade 2* listed Dock Office into business incubator space to support local economic growth. We will now focus our attention on delivering these projects and will be seeking the agreement of the UK Government for this amended scheme.
“This council has bold ambitions for Barry and will continue to deliver and promote projects that have a significant positive impact on the town."
"As well as the Making Waves scheme, we eagerly anticipate the development of the new Cardiff and Vale College site on the waterfront, the new restaurant development at Nell’s Point and the redevelopment of the St Richard Gwyn High School, which will complete the redevelopment of all secondary schools in Barry."
“Through our regeneration and placemaking work, we will continue to support Barry as a town that is a great place to live, work and visit with exciting opportunities for growth.”
Vale of Glamorgan MP Kanishka Narayan, who recently championed the benefits of the £40 million investment into Barry, said “I am disappointed that the marina element of plans for Barry have been found to be not viable commercially."
"I remain focused on ensuring that the full £40 million investment secured from the Labour government delivers maximum benefit, creating jobs, boosting prosperity, and supporting community-led priorities."
"I will continue to work with local residents, the council, and ABP to make that vision a reality.”
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