**Developers Issue Public Apology as Residents Wait for Delayed Waterfront Park in Barry**
Developers behind the sprawling Barry Waterfront housing project in the Vale of Glamorgan have formally apologised to the local community after the much-anticipated opening of a new public park faced further setbacks. Discontent has been growing among residents, many of whom say they were assured several years ago that East Quay Park — a central green space set to serve the neighbourhood — would be available to enjoy by the summer of 2025.
Residents, some of whom have recently expressed their frustration at public council meetings, describe the site as resembling “an abandoned” project, with little visible activity and a general sense of disappointment. Promises made by developers for accessible public space have yet to materialise, aggravating those who bought homes in the belief that these facilities would be delivered in a timely fashion.
The consortium responsible for the Barry Waterfront development — a partnership comprising Taylor Wimpey, Barratt and Persimmon — said it understands and regrets the impatience exhibited by the community. According to their latest statement, the delay stems from outstanding safety checks. These inspections must be fully completed before any public opening can be considered, the developers emphasised.
The relationship between the developers and Vale of Glamorgan Council has become increasingly strained in recent years. The council previously threatened legal action in response to repeated delays in infrastructure completion and amenity delivery, culminating in an official agreement reached in 2024. At one stage in 2023, the local authority even sought an injunction to halt further home sales on the site until core works like road surfacing and landscaping were adequately finished.
At a recent full council meeting, a member of the public reminded councillors of previous commitments made by officials back in March 2024, when the park’s summer 2025 opening was touted as a certainty. With the park still closed and seemingly untouched, residents pressed for an explanation for the sluggish progress and, critically, an updated timeline for when the space would become accessible.
Cllr Mark Wilson, cabinet member for neighbourhood and building services at Vale of Glamorgan Council, responded that the park’s opening is now tied to the completion of requisite safety audits. He gave reassurances that the consortium “hopeful” the site will open in August 2025, though some newly seeded grassy areas may remain off-limits until established enough to withstand public use.
Longstanding issues have plagued Barry Waterfront’s roll-out, with unfinished roads, incomplete paving, and landscaping delays generating waves of complaints. The district’s commercial hub — promised as a focal point for community life — has also come under scrutiny, with much of it left vacant for extended periods.
A spokesperson for Barry Waterfront Consortium has tried to allay fears of abandonment. They confirmed that a contractor has been brought in to manage the site’s communal areas and that major improvements are underway. Significant steps include the installation of children’s play equipment at East Quay Gardens, which is now awaiting its final safety inspection before being unveiled. Meanwhile, all new green spaces are set to open together once sign-off is secured.
Misgivings about the state of commercial spaces have also been addressed, with the consortium reporting that one unit has found an occupant and negotiations for others continue. Furthermore, the developers stated that all necessary pavements and footpaths are now complete, and final road surfacing is due to commence after the summer holidays.
While acknowledging the repeated setbacks, developers are keen to assure the public that completing the park and related amenities remains an urgent priority. “We apologise for the delay in getting them finished,” the spokesperson said, vowing that every effort is being made to expedite remaining work so residents can soon enjoy the promised facilities.
As the summer draws on, the eyes of Barry’s residents will remain fixed on East Quay Park, hoping that this long-awaited community asset will soon cease to be a story of frustration and instead mark the beginning of a vibrant public space for all to use. The story of Barry Waterfront thus stands both as a cautionary tale and a reflection of the complexities involved in delivering large-scale developments where the needs and expectations of the community are paramount.