The Vale of Glamorgan Council is expecting a final report for consideration on the prospect of a marina in Barry.

In November 2019, it was announced that small boats and yachts could be sailing into Barry Dock after the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Associated British Ports (ABP) commissioned The Marine Group to investigate the possibility of a marina at the site.

The findings of the study were expected in March 2020, but proceedings were delayed due to the pandemic.

A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesperson said: "Discussions and consultations restarted last autumn. We expect to receive the final report for consideration in the coming weeks."

The Dock area, which is owned and operated by ABP currently allows Cargo ships in and out of the dock and offers space for business and is already home to Barry Community Water Activity Centre.

Plans for a marina in Barry were drafted almost a decade ago, but were scrapped because they included new lock gates deemed too expensive and beyond the necessary specification for the project.

The Marine Group have created a lower cost model that would involve puncturing a hole in the wall to maintain high enough water levels for ABP to keep using the site, while allowing small boat owners access in and out.

Vale of Glamorgan MP Alun Cairns has called for the Levelling Up Fund to be used in the Vale of Glamorgan for projects such as this.

"For too long Barry has missed out on regeneration funding," Mr Cairns told Nub News.

"Until now, the law didn't permit the UK Government to support projects directly.

"This changed in the budget and I am determined to do everything to continue the regeneration of Barry, of which a marina is my next plan.

"The Barry regeneration commenced some years ago with the regeneration of the island, with the Good Sheds and the Waterfront, and the marina will bring all of these elements together," he said.

The Levelling Up Fund encourages the collaboration of MPs with their local authorities, and each MP is expected to back one project from their area.

The fund will focus on projects that require up to £20 million of funding, with only transport schemes considered for higher investments.