Barry Pumphouse

Aim of Project:

To sensitively restore the derelict Grade II Listed Hydraulic Pumphouse building, in order to bring it back into beneficial use.

September 2011 saw the completion of the external restoration of Barry’s historic Hydraulic Pumphouse building. The Grade II Listed Building is one of the few remaining hydraulic Pumphouse building remaining in Wales. The building formed part of Barry’s historic dock complex and remains an important local landmark with its imposing 42 metre high chimney.

The external fabric of the landmark building has been returned to its former glory after many years of deterioration, having being derelict since the 1950s. This has been facilitated through an £800,000 grant from the Welsh Government matched by Council funding of £600,000 towards the cost of a circa £1.4 million works. The works were undertaken by Wales’ based contractor John Weaver Construction

Overseen by welsh conservation architects practice Acanthus Holden the restoration has created the opportunity to secure a new economic use for the Pumphouse, which is the next key task for the Vale of Glamorgan Council and its Welsh Government partners.

Well located at the west end of Barry Waterfront close to Barry Town railway station the Pumphouse is situated in the heart of the Innovation Quarter, a 19 acre mixed use development site being facilitated by the Vale of Glamorgan Council in partnership with the Welsh Government.

The restoration of the Pumphouse will be complemented by the construction of a new, sustainably designed, 80 bed Premier Inn hotel and Brewers Fayre restaurant on the adjacent triangle site, which began in February 2012. Additionally the position of the Pumphouse is also set to benefit from the Phase 2 redevelopment of Barry Waterfront, for which the Vale council's planning committee resolved to grant outline planning permission for two planning applications subject to a legal agreement, in July 2011.

Vale Council Leader, Cllr Gordon Kemp, commenting on the restoration of the Pumphouse, said:

"Protecting our built heritage is always very important as it contributes so much to a local sense of place. I welcome the completion of this contract as it has saved an historic building that otherwise had a very uncertain future. I am also pleased with the local employment and business benefits generated during the works contract and the quality of workmanship”.

"The council is now committed to working with the Welsh Government to bring the property back into economic use. The delivery of this project owes much to the ongoing successful working partnership of the council and Welsh Government at the Innovation Quarter."

Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage, Huw Lewis, commented:

"The Pumphouse is a major piece of Barry’s historic fabric. Its restoration will help people in the town take pride in their heritage as we look forward to the regeneration of the Waterfront.

"Restoration of the building is a prime example of how built heritage can be a catalyst for regeneration. Jobs were created as a result of the work and we now have a fantastic property to house future ventures.

"I look forward to working with the Vale of Glamorgan Council to see the Pumphouse brought back into use to play a key role in Barry once again."

The council has recently appointed Savills to market the site to find an appropriate end use.

The Pumphouse is well located, adjacent to the Business Service Centre, in Barry's Innovation Quarter.