Historic Barry pumphouse comes to the market with Savills

The Grade II listed former Hydraulic Pumping House on Barry’s Waterfront is to come to the market for the first time in its history. 

The purpose built pumping station is one of the few hydraulic pumphouses remaining in Wales and historically formed part of Barry’s dock complex.  It is an important local landmark with a prominent 42 metre high chimney.

Savills has been instructed by the owners, the Vale of Glamorgan Council, to explore the market demand on a regional and national basis as the building has potential for a variety of uses.

The imposing building is located in a prominent corner position within the Innovation Quarter, a mixed use development in 19 acres that is being facilitated by a joint venture between the Council and Welsh Government, which already provides a home for a business centre, IT training centre and a new medical centre.  Opposite the site, a new Whitbread development comprising an 80 bed Premier Inn and Brewers Fayre is under construction and due to open in autumn this year. 

The property consists of two principal buildings, extending to 11,700 sq ft (1,014 sq m) set on a 1.3 acre.  New infrastructure has already been provided and the building has had a £1.4 m external refurbishment funded by the Council and Welsh Government.  The property has no specific planning consent, however a Planning Statement by the Council sets out the potential for a variety of uses such as food and drink (A3), Business (B1), Community (D1), Assembly and Leisure (D2) and unclassed Sui Generis uses. 

Leah Jeffreys of Savills in Cardiff who is marketing the site comments, “The Hydraulic Pumping House is situated in Barry Waterfront, an area undergoing comprehensive redevelopment, including new housing developments providing approximately 2,000 homes, retail (including proposals for a new Asda superstore) and community facilities and as such offers an interesting and unusual redevelopment opportunity.”

The Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, Councillor Neil Moore, said: “I’m pleased we are looking for a community group, social enterprise or commercial partner to help us guarantee the future of the Pumphouse, following its recent external restoration facilitated by the Council and Welsh Government. It is a remarkable historic building and an important local landmark in a central area within the Waterfront.  The Council is keen to receive a wide range of imaginative and financially sustainable bids for the property, whether from the community or from the commercial sector, in order to bring the property back into use.”  

Housing Regeneration and Heritage Minister Huw Lewis said:” The Pumphouse is a landmark building in Barry. I am delighted that Welsh Government funding has helped to restore the building to a condition that means it will make a very important contribution to the town’s economy.”

For further details and to book a viewing contact Leah Jeffreys at Savills on +44 (0) 2920 368 918.