Plans to deliver a new marina at the Mole on Barry Waterfront have been withdrawn due to rising operational costs. The Vale of Glamorgan Council confirmed the cancellation following notification from Associated British Ports (ABP), the landowner and project partner, that the scheme is no longer financially viable.
The marina had been the flagship component of the Council’s £19.8 million Barry Making Waves regeneration project, funded through the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund. Council leaders expressed disappointment at the decision, which comes after years of development, consultation and funding negotiations.
Marina proposal shaped years of regeneration plans
The marina had been positioned as the centrepiece for regeneration at Barry Docks and formed part of a vision shaped over several years.
In March 2022, the council introduced the Barry Growth Programme, a long-term regeneration project aiming to revitalise the town centre, docks and waterfront. The programme identified a marina as an important element to boost local employment, encourage tourism and create new leisure infrastructure.
By June 2022, the Council had formally submitted a £20 million bid to the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, with the marina at the Mole as the centrepiece. The bid also proposed a watersports centre and business incubator. The initiative gained public support and backing from ABP and elected representatives, including Alun Cairns, Member of Parliament for the Vale of Glamorgan, who said at the time:
“This investment will make such a significant difference to the whole of Barry and is part of our commitment to Level Up the UK. The £20 million package of investment is part of my plan for the next step in the regeneration of the town. I am very excited to see these plans come to life, which will bring new investment, exciting job opportunities and a brilliant new marina to the waterfront!”
On 21 November 2023, the UK government confirmed it had awarded £19.8 million to the Council to deliver the Barry Making Waves – Y Barri Creu Tonnau project. The funding announcement stated that the money would support the construction of a marina and watersports facilities, alongside green infrastructure and business space.
Cllr Lis Burnett, Leader of the Council, welcomed the announcement, stating, “This funding will enable us to take the transformation of Barry, and in particular the Waterfront, to the next level.”
The scheme received further backing when, on 31 October 2024, the Chancellor reaffirmed support for the project in the national budget. Alongside approving the waterfront scheme, the UK government also announced up to £20 million of investment for Barry through the Long-Term Plan for Towns programme.
However, by 28 May 2025, the Council revealed that ABP had reviewed the financial modelling for the marina and determined that the long-term operational costs made the scheme unviable. The decision led to its formal removal from the project.
ABP’s reason behind withdrawal
According to Bro Radio, the local community radio station for Barry, in a report written by Nathan Spackman, ABP confirmed it had carried out an in-depth feasibility process before reaching its decision.
“We have recently concluded a thorough market testing exercise, utilising third-party experts and including engagement with marina operators, which has led ABP to the regretful conclusion that we cannot proceed with the significant investment required in a marina,” ABP stated.
ABP also expressed its intention to support the revised programme and remain committed in working with all stakeholders about the opportunity of the Levelling Up Fund award from the UK government.
Cost pressures prompt re-evaluation of priorities
Cllr Lis Burnett said the marina had become untenable due to high ongoing operational costs. “The Council is extremely disappointed to learn from ABP that the marina element of the Making Waves Project is no longer deemed viable due to rising operating costs,” she said.
Cllr Burnett added: “Despite this clear setback, we remain confident that the Levelling Up Funding award made to the Council by the UK Government and updated in 2024 following the election of the new Government remains viable. We believe the project can be delivered without the marina component, subject to UK government agreement.”
Making Waves continues without its centrepiece
With the marina now withdrawn, the Council will now move ahead with delivering the remainder of the Barry Making Waves project. The rest of the project includes a new purpose-built watersports centre, a public park and the refurbishment of a dock office into a business incubator space. The watersports centre will be managed by Ocean Water Sports Trust and Cardiff and Vale College, providing access to water-based activities for schools, youth groups and the wider community.
The full programme is expected to be completed over the next three to five years, subject to agreement on the revised scheme.
The cancellation of the marina represents a significant shift in the Making Waves project, which had originally placed the marina at the heart of Barry’s regeneration future. Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to stay engaged as plans evolve, with further public updates expected in the coming weeks.
