Big wheel won’t be back until next year

BARRY Island’s big wheel won’t be back up in time for Christmas after it was taken down during a planning dispute.

Henry Danter, who took ownership of the famous seaside fairground in 2015, put up the new big wheel in October, but, as previously reported in the South Wales Echo, by the start of this month it was being taken down.

Mr Danter has now revealed that it will instead be used at Clapham Common.

He said: “As soon as I get planning it will be back.”

The big wheel was taken down amid a dispute between the fairground owners and Vale of Glamorgan council over planning permission.

Mr Danter said he has now put in an application for planning permission – admitting the big wheel was too high – but does not believe it will be approved in time for the wheel to go back up this year.

Last week, Jonathan Bird, Vale of Glamorgan council’s cabinet member for regeneration and planning, said: “At no time has Mr Danter informed the council of the intention to erect a new wheel and no advice has been sought as to the need for planning permission.

“That aside, it is important to stress that despite writing to Mr Danter to advise him of the need for planning permission for the new wheel [which he accepts] along with other outstanding planning issues which remain unresolved, at no point was Mr Danter asked to take down the Ferris wheel, neither was any other enforcement action taken against him in relation to the structure.

“Mr Danter has simply been asked to apply for planning permission for a structure that by law required consent. There is absolutely no personal element to this issue.

“Clearly, the law applies to everyone and any other resident or business behaving in this fashion would have been dealt with in exactly the same way.”

Mr Bird added: “The council has been attempting to work with Mr Danter for a number of years.

“Advice and guidance has been offered at numerous meetings, including advising on all relevant legislative requirements before proposals are undertaken.

“Unfortunately, it has been very rare for Mr Danter to heed that advice, instead progressing work without reference back to the relevant council departments.”

Mr Danter said he is meeting with Mr Bird next week to try to resolve the issues.