Barry Island’s Henry Danter Cancels Accommodation Project After Pushback

Plans for a large-scale holiday park near a children’s hospice in Wales have been abandoned following opposition from local residents and stakeholders. 

Barry Island Pleasure Park owner Henry Danter confirmed he would no longer pursue development at the Hayes Road site in Sully, where he had envisioned a Butlins-style destination aimed at expanding tourism in the region.

Danter, who has owned the pleasure park since 2015, stated that he had invested over £1 million into the project but had been unable to obtain the necessary approvals beyond storage use. 

The proposal faced significant pushback from the nearby Ty Hafan children’s hospice, along with families who use its services, who argued that construction and increased visitor activity would disrupt the hospice’s tranquil environment.

In an interview with WalesOnline, Danter expressed frustration over the repeated obstacles in advancing the project. 

“It was just stop, stop, stop. We couldn’t do anything,” he said. Despite his belief that the development would not have negatively impacted Ty Hafan, he acknowledged that resistance to the proposal made further pursuit unfeasible.

Community opposition was substantial, with a petition against the project gathering over 15,000 signatures. 

Critics, including bereaved families, voiced concerns about the impact of construction noise and increased tourism-related activity on the hospice’s sensitive environment. 

Tracey Withers, whose daughter received care at Ty Hafan, emphasized the importance of preserving the hospice’s peaceful setting. 

“I will fight to my last breath to stop this being destroyed by individuals who have no idea of what actually goes on there every single day,” she said.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council also intervened, taking enforcement action against Danter after excavation work was carried out at the site despite prior warnings. 

The council issued an enforcement notice in January 2024, citing unauthorized excavation, heavy machinery use, and storage of commercial waste. Legal proceedings were initiated in response to these violations.

While Danter has decided to move on from the Hayes Road project, he maintains that additional accommodation is necessary to support tourism growth in Barry. 

“We’re an asset to them and we can bring great fortunes to Wales and to businesses in Wales,” he said, pointing to his long-term investment in the area. 

Over the past decade, he has spent more than £12 million on the Barry Island Pleasure Park, which he argues has significantly contributed to the region’s tourism economy.

According to figures from the Vale of Glamorgan Council, tourism contributed £327 million to the local economy in 2023, nearly doubling from £171 million in 2012. Barry Island alone generated over £21 million, attracting more than 400,000 visitors to the seafront last year. 

These statistics underscore the growing demand for infrastructure that can accommodate visitors and sustain economic benefits for local businesses.

Despite the setback, Danter remains committed to expanding tourism opportunities in the region. He noted that while the Hayes Road development will not proceed, the need for additional accommodation remains an issue for the continued growth of Barry Island as a visitor destination.