Vale Council has unveiled a £20m bid for funding from the UK Government Levelling Up Fund.
Shaped by the town’s maritime and industrial history, the bid comprises two key projects which together will form a huge package of investment to continue the regeneration of docks area and the surrounding waterfront.
A new marina at the site known as The Mole is the centrepiece of the plans. The council says the marina would attract visitors and tourists to the town and serve as the catalyst for the next stage of the regeneration of the docks.
As part of this, a business incubator aims to grow innovative new businesses in Barry and create local jobs. It will see the development of a commercial model for a co-working innovation space, where meetings and events can be delivered alongside high-level digital skills training.
The incubator will fit post-Covid working patterns which are seeing increasing demand for co-working in collaborative innovation spaces, where people can come together on a regular basis to discuss ideas.
According to the council, these spaces ”create opportunities to make introductions with like-minded people and with potential project partners, develop ideas into products and services, as well as develop and scale companies.”
The second project of the package is the construction of a new, green, purpose built watersports facility at Barry Waterfront. Designed to boost leisure opportunities and wider community use of the area, the facility would provide a new home for the Ocean Watersports Trust.
A spokesperson said: ”This will not only benefit local clubs and organisations but also schools, youth groups, and the general public by giving them access to first class facilities to enjoy the water. The new space would provide meeting rooms, community spaces and classrooms, as well as equipment storage space.”
The UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund is designed to ensure that opportunities are more consistent across the country by offering support to areas that are currently at a disadvantage.
The UK Government is seeking single large-scale bids from Local Authorities at short notice in order to support its Levelling up agenda. Money from the fund can be used to finance local schemes, including town centre and high street regeneration, improving transport systems or on projects relating to culture and heritage.
The council is also welcoming comments from residents and other interested parties ahead of finalising its bid for submission. Council representatives will be at Barry Library between Monday 27th June and Wednesday 29th June from 10am – 5pm to discuss the bid in person.
More information is available at www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/levellingupbid.
