Enabling work is set to begin on the £230million Barry Waterfront scheme this month to prepare the site for development.
Investigative works have already begun at West Pond, and are expected to continue for the next two weeks, before around 18 months’ of enabling work can begin.
House building is set to start next Spring, and a sales centre is expected to be open in 12 months, with commercial facilities following thereafter.
The Consortium behind the scheme has issued a warning to the public to respect health and safety measures in place at the West Pond site now that it has become a construction site, and instead use the Clive Road steps to cross from Barry town to Barry Island.
Speaking on behalf of the Consortium, Richard Keogh said: “This marks a huge step in bringing this important regeneration project to life. Ever since the scheme was granted full planning approval in March, we were keen to begin work on the development as quickly as possible.
“I’m pleased to say that everything is progressing on time, and we should have a sales centre open in around 12 months’ time. With investigative works now underway, the wheels are very much in motion to begin work in earnest on site.
“But it does mean the site is now a full-blown construction area with dangerous machinery in operation, and we urge the local community to respect the health and safety measures we have put in place. Although we previously secured the site, we’re still finding that some members of the public are choosing to ignore the deterrents.
“Eventually there will be full access across the site via public realm, but we would ask pedestrians, in the meantime, to use the Clive Road steps to cross from the town to the Island as this is a safe public access route.”
The development, known as The Quays, marks the final phase in the large-scale regeneration of the waterfront and aims to create a sustainable mixed-use community focused around the water, with new parks and children’s play areas, promenades and public spaces to help connect the existing communities of Barry Island and Barry town.
It will consist of a new £5milllion link road from Barry town to Barry Island, a waterfront district centre featuring cafés and restaurants, a hotel, supermarket, as well as up to 2,000 new homes, including 15 per cent affordable housing.
As part of the scheme ‘s Section 106 agreement, the consortium will also invest a further £8million in local road improvements, a new primary school, sustainable transport measures, and improvements to community facilities, including water sports and public open space.
Mr Keogh added: “This is about investing in Barry to create a sustainable, mixed-use development with excellent facilities that will help create jobs locally and provide a much-needed economic boost to the area.”
The Barry Waterfront Consortium is made up of developers Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd, Persimmon Homes and BDW Trading (Barratt South Wales).