Fair chief’s shock over plans row

THE owner of a Barry Island funfair has expressed his shock that he is being accused of building an extension at the park without the correct planning permission.

Planners at the Vale of Glamorgan Council said the extension to the Treasure Island and Funfair arcade on Paget Road was built without the correct permission and are calling for it to be taken down.

They want to see it restored to the way it was.

Owner Henry Danter said he is now asking for an urgent meeting with the planners to discuss the issue ahead of a planning committee meeting on Thursday.

The planning report says that the building has a “rundown appearance” and does not have a “high quality finish”.

They will vote on whether to issue an enforcement notice to have it taken down.

The report adds that the building doesn’t “contribute positively” to the character of the street or the surrounding conservation area.

It says: “The front elevation of the extension consists entirely of large shutters which are opened during the daytime.

“It fails to create an attractive frontage during the daytime, given the obvious industrial appearance of the frame and shutters. The shutters, when closed, result in a blank, uninteresting and oppressive frontage at times when the amusement arcade is closed.”

It also says there are concerns about the quality of the work. The report concludes: “The unauthorised extension to the arcade building is considered to be of a poor design and quality that harms the visual amenities of the street scene and wider Barry Marine Conservation Area.

“In view of the issues identified, it is considered expedient to pursue action requiring the removal of the building and restoration of the perimeter wall.”

But Mr Danter, who took over the park in 2015, said: “I think this is totally unfair. When we took over, Barry had one of the worst amusement parks in the world, and we have turned that around.

“I don’t think we need planning permission. If they think this is detrimental to Barry, they must be joking.”

The report says that officers have visited the site on several occasions over the past year.