Barry Port sells key waterfront site to housing developer Jehu
AKEY waterfront development site in Barry has been acquired by housing developer Jehu.
The company has bought a disused brownfield site on Subway Road from Associated British Ports, in a property deal brokered by the Cardiff office of property advisory firm Savills.
The value of the deal has not been disclosed. ABP, which operates the Port of Barry, put the land up for sale having determined the site as no longer being strategically important to its port activities.
Jehu has yet to confirm the number of houses it plans for the land. Any project brought forward will need planning consent.
The 1.3-acre site, which is prominently located on the corner of Subway Road and Millennium Way, consists of a number of two- and three-storey brick buildings, set within a yard.
It was originally used as ancillary space to the port, prior to being incorporated into the masterplan for the Barry Waterfront development which began in 1996.
Scott Caldwell, director of Savills’ development team in Cardiff, said: “ABP’s release of this property supports the continued regeneration of the Waterfront, which will breathe new life into Wales’ biggest town and, crucially, open up space for much-needed housing in the area.
“Prominently located close to the Grade II-listed Barry Dock Office, we were able to attract a good level of interest in the site, which resulted in its sale to the local independent developer Jehu Group, which proposes redeveloping the site for use as affordable housing.”
The site was deemed a non-operational asset by ABP due to its distance from operational quayside.
Rhys Morgan, head of property, ABP South Wales, said: “The site on Subway Road in Barry was considered non-core to the operational needs of ABP South Wales and we are pleased that plans for the site will benefit the local community.
“We have supported the regeneration of the Barry Waterfront area since its inception and look forward to seeing the continued growth of the area.”
The Port of Barry handles over 300,000 tones of cargo every year and is a key asset for the region’s chemical industry. The port is also home to around 80 tenants, including several specialist engineering companies, serving the local area.