Funfair owner says Barry is not attracting ‘working class’ holidaymakers

By MARCUS STEAD

Marcus Stead 29/06/2023

3 minutes read

THE OWNER OF Barry Island Pleasure Park says he would consider locating his controversial proposed holiday camp at another site if his plans to build the facility on Hays Road in Sully are blocked.

Henry Danter, 79, purchased the land In February and submitted a planning application to the Vale Council seeking permission to convert the area into a holiday park. The land was formerly owned by BP but it has been derelict for many years

The site is close to both Tŷ Hafan children’s hospice and Beechwood College, which offers educational facilities for young people with Autistic Spectrum Condition and Asperger’s Syndrome.

**The location of the proposed new holiday camp**. *Image: Glamorgan Star | Google.*

Soon after Mr Danter unveiled his plans, people associated with the hospice and college raised concerns about noise from the 600-capacity holiday park spoiling the peace and tranquillity of their facilities, and an online petition opposing the project gained more than 8,000 signatures.

Earlier this month, Mr Danter revealed he would seek to build light industrial units on the Hayes Road site if his proposals are blocked, and he now says he would look into the viability of purchasing the car park at Nell’s Point, with a view to building a holiday park there.

Cllr Bronwen Brooks (Labour, Court), deputy leader and cabinet member for sustainable places says the land is not currently up for sale and that any future development opportunities would be marketed openly to enable interested parties to bid for it.

**Henry Danter at Barry Island Pleasure Park.** *Photo: Glamorgan Star.*

In response, Mr Danter launched a strongly-worded attack on the Vale Council’s attitude towards his proposals: “Council officials told me some years ago that the car park at Nell’s Point was available for purchase, but I didn’t want to go through with it at the time because I was spending my time and money on transforming Barry Island Pleasure Park.

“Now they’re telling me something completely different. Their attitude has been the same with my plans for the Hayes Road site.

“Rather than engage with me to build a facility that will create jobs and bring huge economic benefits to the area, they’re putting obstacles in my way on the basis of unfounded rumours.

“There’s a strong element of outdated socialist ideology with these people. They leave me with a strong impression that jealousy plays a part in it, and they don’t like people with money.

“We need to get real about things in Wales. The coal mines are long gone. Tourism is vital to our economic wellbeing, and since the old Butlin’s closed more than 25 years ago, there hasn’t been anywhere for working class holidaymakers to stay in the area, and we’re losing out in terms of jobs and money as a result,” he said.

Mr Danter went on to address comments made on social media about the type of people his proposed holiday camp on Hayes Road would attract. He said: “I’ve read some disgusting comments about how our holiday park will attract murderers, rapists and paedophiles. This is complete and utter rubbish and it’s totally without evidence.

“We’re working hard to transform Barry Island Pleasure Park into the jewel in the crown of Wales – look at how much better it is compared to 10 years ago, but for the area to reach its potential, holidaymakers need to have somewhere to stay, and this is all about providing facilities for decent, working class people.

“There are people with legitimate concerns about the plans and I’m happy to have a sensible discussion with them, but these accusations that a small minority of people are throwing around on social media are totally unacceptable,” he said.

Mr Danter repeated his offer to meet with those living and working near to the Hayes Road site to discuss their concerns: “I feel nothing but love for Tŷ Hafan, and I could be their best friend.

“I’ve spent my whole life working in fairground facilities that make children happy, and I come from a long line of travelling showmen dating back to the 1800s. We also do a lot for charity and at Barry Island Pleasure Park we put on events to give children in difficult circumstances a day out they’ll never forget.

“In other parts of Britain, I have caravan parks next to churches and graveyards, and we don’t have any problems there.

“So I say to people at Tŷ Hafan, Beechwood College and local residents, let’s have a public meeting where you can ask me anything you like.

“But let’s deal in facts, not rumours, and where there are legitimate concerns, let’s work together to find solutions,” he said.