Community Invited to Help Shape Future of Colcot Sports Centre and Buttrills Playing Fields
Residents, sports clubs and community groups are being invited to share their views on the future of Colcot Sports Centre and the Buttrills Playing Fields in Barry.
The Vale of Glamorgan Council is launching an early-stage engagement process to better understand how these important community facilities could be developed to meet local needs now and in the future.No decisions have been made at this stage.
The Council has confirmed that previous proposals for the sites, including those involving housing, are not being taken forward. Instead, the focus is on beginning a new conversation with the community about future possibilities.
Councillor Lis Burnett, Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: “These facilities are important to the local community, and we want to ensure their future reflects what people need.
"This early engagement process gives residents, clubs and partners the opportunity to tell us what matters most as we begin to explore a new, community-focused vision for Colcot and Buttrills."
Participation in sport and physical activity across the Vale of Glamorgan continues to increase, particularly in football, with growing involvement among women and girls.
Colcot Sports Centre and Buttrills Playing Fields already make a valuable contribution locally. However, the Colcot building is in poor condition, no longer meets modern standards and is increasingly expensive to maintain.
In addition, some parts of the site, including the former artificial pitch, have been unused for a number of years.These factors highlight the need to review how the sites are used and how they could better serve the community in the future.
This work also supports priorities identified in the Barry Place Plan, which emphasises the importance of improving neighbourhood facilities and strengthening opportunities for sport and physical activity.
The Council is seeking feedback to help understand:
- how the sites are currently used
- what works well and what could be improved
- barriers to participation in sport and physical activity
- what local people and clubs would like to see in future
Any future proposals would need to reflect local priorities, improve accessibility and inclusion, and be financially sustainable.If there is sufficient community support, the Council may explore opportunities to secure funding to support future improvements.
Any detailed proposals would be subject to further consultation.
Residents, sports clubs and community organisations are encouraged to take part by visiting: https://participate.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/developing-a-new-plan-for-colcot-sports-centre-and-the-buttrills-playing-fields