The owner of Barry Island pleasure park, Henry Danter, has made a significant announcement regarding his controversial plans for a Butlins-style holiday park next to a children’s hospice, Ty Hafan. Danter, who has owned the pleasure park since 2015, revealed to WalesOnline that he has decided to abandon his ambitious project after facing substantial opposition and challenges. Despite investing over £1 million in the site on Hayes Road in Sully, where he intended to accommodate hundreds of visitors, Danter was only able to obtain planning permission for storage facilities due to objections from Ty Hafan and families of service users.
In an interview, the 81-year-old entrepreneur expressed his frustration at the setbacks, stating, “It was just stop, stop, stop. We couldn’t do anything.” While Danter disagreed with the protesters who believed his plans would disrupt the hospice, he acknowledged that he would no longer pursue development on the Hayes Road site. The campaign against Danter’s proposal gained traction, with a petition garnering over 15,000 signatures, including from individuals directly impacted by the services provided at Ty Hafan.
Among those opposed to the holiday park plan was Tracey Withers, a mother who tragically lost her teenage daughter Izzy to an inoperable brain tumour at Ty Hafan. Withers vowed to fight relentlessly to preserve the sanctity of the hospice, emphasizing its significance to families across south Wales. The petition, initiated by bereaved grandmother Karen Maidment, highlighted the deep emotional connection families share with Ty Hafan and the invaluable support it offers during challenging times.
The situation escalated further when the council took legal action against Danter for carrying out excavation work at the Hayes Road site in defiance of an enforcement notice. Despite facing obstacles and criticism, Danter reflected on his extensive contributions to the Barry Island pleasure park, where he had invested over £12 million in the past decade. The tourism industry in the Vale of Glamorgan, bolstered by attractions like Barry Island, significantly impacted the region’s economy, generating millions in revenue and employment opportunities.
As Danter closes the chapter on his holiday park venture beside Ty Hafan, he acknowledged the need for additional accommodation facilities. With his focus shifting away from the contentious project, he emphasised his commitment to enhancing the tourism sector in Wales and delivering enriching experiences for visitors. While challenges may have halted his plans at Hayes Road, Danter’s dedication to revitalising Barry Island and fostering economic growth remains unwavering.
In light of this development, stakeholders and residents await to see what the future holds for Danter’s ventures and the ongoing evolution of tourism in the Vale of Glamorgan. His decision to step back from the Butlins-style holiday park project marks a pivotal moment in the intersection of commercial aspirations and community concerns, underscoring the delicate balance required to navigate development initiatives in sensitive environments.