The Future of Cemetery Approach has now been decided
The progress so far
In 2012 residents of the Vale of
Glamorgan took part in a consultation on the future of land at
Cemetery Approach in Barry. The results of this
consultation were reported to the Council's Cabinet in the autumn
of 2012 and the Council is now looking at how it can
deliver an open community garden and allotments – the most popular
options chosen by local people.
In the months since then we have arranged soil sampling,
ecology assessments and other pre-work to help us
plan the next step for the site. A report outining
the next stage of the process will be presented to Cabinet in
May 2012 and we hope the work will progress swiftly after
this.
Talking about the consultation at the time, Leader of the
Council, Neil Moore, said: “I’d like to thank all the residents who
took the time to tell us their preference for the future of the
land at Cemetery Approach."
“The council’s new administration is
committed to undertaking meaningful consultation with local
people. We will undertake consultation where necessary so
that it will enable us to be aware of the opinions of local people
and take them into consideration when we have to take decisions,
particularly where it affects those that have responded. Inevitably
there will always be some issues where we will be restricted by
budgets or legislation and I am acutely aware that we cannot please
all of the people all of the time, but we will endeavour to take a
decision that will be reasoned, logical and where the reasons for
that decision are clear.”
The Consultation
During August and September the council
asked Vale residents what should be done with the two parcels of
land at Cemetery Approach. This was the final stage of a
consultation project that began in March.
Residents were asked to cast a vote on what
they wished to see at the site. They were given the following
options: allotments (potentially including a community shop or
café), a play area, an open community space (featuring flower beds
and benches), further cemetery facilities, parking facilities, an
educational facility for local primary schools or an ecological or
bio diversity garden. Residents were also given the opportunity to
suggest another option if they felt those offered were not
suitable.
All Vale residents were able to cast a vote
as part of the consultation; either on the council’s website or
over the phone through the council’s C1V contact centre. To ensure
residents who live closest to the site were aware of the
consultation 1000 freepost postcards featuring a bilingual version
of the survey were delivered to the homes nearest to Cemetery
Approach.
There were 178 responses to the
survey. 138 were returned by post and 40 were submitted
online.
There were two options that were
significantly more popular - 31 per cent of respondents voted
for an open community garden and 25 per cent of respondents
voted for allotments.
As well as being asked to vote for a future
option for the site, residents were also asked whether they would
consider volunteering to help run or maintain any future
development - 34 per cent of respondents answered that they
would.
On 24 September the council’s operational
manager for parks and grounds maintenance reported the findings of
the consultation to an informal meeting of the Vale of Glamorgan
Council Cabinet. Those members present accepted the findings of the
report and instructed the Visible Services department to set out a
plan for how the outcome desired by residents could be
delivered.
Find out about the history of the project
here.
Any Questions?
If you have any questions about the consultation on the future
of Cemetery Approach then email consultation@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk