Work Begins On Redevelopment Of Cemetery Approach

Work is now underway on a new community garden and nature area at Cemetery Approach in Barry. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Contractors started work on the site this week following final approval of plans by the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Barry Town Council in September. The £550,000 scheme is being funded jointly by the two councils. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The work that is now underway will see the construction of a new park and small community building on the land either side of Cemetery Road in Barry. This land is currently owned by the Vale of Glamorgan Council. However, once the work is complete it will be leased to Barry Town Council which will then take over control and maintenance of the new park. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Neil Moore, Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: “Parks and open spaces are what bring communities together, and their importance cannot be overlooked. We know that residents have long desired that this land be put to good use and opened up to the public. This Council made a commitment to doing just that and this is what we are now fulfilling.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Emma Pritchard, Leader of Barry Town Council, said: ‘This is an exciting project for the future of the local community in Barry. The Town Council has engaged with people on this development and residents’ suggestions and votes have named the area ‘Cemetery Approach Gardens’ or Gerddi’r Fynwent’. We look forward to working closely with the Vale of Glamorgan Council to deliver this project.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The first stage of the work, which is now underway, will see the land cleared of weeds and other plants cut back. This is likely to take until the end of January at which point the main construction work will begin. The scheme is due to be completed in April 2017. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​