Jocelyn Davies AM, Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration has announced that Barry is to become the seventh Strategic Regeneration Area (SRA) in Wales with a £9 million investment from the Welsh Assembly Government.
The town will benefit from a co-ordinated, long term, holistic approach to regeneration, using best practice procedures pioneered in the Heads of the Valleys programme and the Mon a Menai initiative.
The announcement will maximise the regeneration potential of housing initiatives in the area and of the opportunities from the proposed £12bn investment in the Defence Training Centre and Aerospace Business Park at St Athan.
Making the announcement at Barry dock Ms Davies said: “This is excellent news for the people of Barry who will see huge improvements to their town over the coming years.
“The SRA will focus on key communities in the town. We will work with the Vale of Glamorgan Council and other key partners to develop a fully integrated action plan for the town over the next few months.
“The plan will address a number of key issues and will reflect the main regeneration needs and opportunities in the area. The programme will work to complement and add value to existing and planned activities which already contribute towards the regeneration Barry.
“The funding made available by the Assembly Government to this SRA will provide the catalyst for further public and private sector investment.”
The SRA Action Plan for Barry will focus on three key themes to build and sustain vibrant communities, by breaking the cycle of deprivation, addressing the skills supply, and tackling economic inactivity:
Integrating private and public sector housing construction and refurbishment programmes. This links housing policies, energy efficiency and renewables agendas to fully realise the potential of investment in education, skills and employment for individuals and businesses in the town.
Reviving and enhancing tourism, leisure and recreational activities by realising the potential of waterfront and the wider town.
Growing key business sectors and helping the town centre to make the most of the development and business opportunities created by the St Athan project and other major business investors.
Vale of Glamorgan Council cabinet member for economic development and regeneration, Cllr Rhodri Traherne, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the ‘Barry St Athan Area’ has been designated a Strategic Regeneration Area (SRA) and I am most grateful to all our Assembly Members, who have lobbied so hard on our behalf.
“I very much hope that SRA status will mean that there is a significant and continuous stream of Welsh Assembly Government money, which will ensure that we are able to drive forward the regeneration agenda in Barry and make the very best use of the £12bn investment in the Defence Technical College and Aerospace Business Park at St Athan.”
Strategic Regeneration Areas (SRAs) have been established in areas of greatest need.
They are in places which offer the greatest potential to benefit areas. They link physical and community regeneration with public and private funding, in a programme of change to tackle a range of social and economic issues affecting the most deprived communities.
