Porthcawl's beloved Coney Beach amusement park to close within months

I'm very sorry very sad to hear that Coney Beach Amusement Park will being closing their gates at the end of the Season it's been there in Porthcawl since 1918 hard working people who live in South Wales and further afield have enjoyed spending their leisure time there on day trips, week-end breaks, and even fortnight holidays.

Porthcawl has always been a very popular resort so why has this happened, Porthcawl is a large town there are very wealthy parts of Porthcawl I think these people disliked the Amusement Park they disliked the Caravaners and decided to get the right people on the local Council and destroy Porthcawl as a holiday resort, they have succeeded first it was the Sandy Bay Caravan Park and now Coney Beach Amusement Park, everyone I know is saddened to hear this news what a silly country Wales has become, there's no respect for hard working people's leisure time.

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SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

Although I don't disagree with your dislike of the gentrification of seaside resorts, the reason why this attraction is shutting down is because the owners have freely decided to sell their land to the Welsh Government as part of Bridgend Council's large regeneration project which will include a lot of much needed affordable housing. Presumably the deal they signed is more attractive than continuing to run a high maintenance leisure attraction.

The park is thought to have provided rest and relaxation to American troops returning from European battlefields in WW1, hence the exotic name.

Midlifemale · 61-69, M

@SunshineGirl It's always about THE MONEY......someone or some equity company will get rich tearing down something old and building something to generate money ...that's what this world is all about. We have too many billionaires now that want more and more and more

senghenydd · M

@SunshineGirl I have fond memories of Porthcawl, old Porthcawl with it's two Caravan Parks Trecco Bay & Sandy Bay plus Coney Beach Amusement Park the Harbour and many more attractions it had so much going for it, there was always something going on in Porthcawl over the years most of these attractions have disappeared.

You state the Owners have freely decided to sell up, well your right suddenly South Wales loses it's premier Amusement Park were families have enjoyed taken their children for just over a hundred years, I question whether this should be allowed in twenty four hours since this was reported I've spoken to a number of people who are extremely angry about losing Coney Beach Amusement Park.

Houses can be built anywhere, a sea front home overlooking the sea now there's big money to be made never mine the children they can play in the streets.

SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

@Midlifemale Doubtless some private developers will make a profit, that is how real estate is normally built in this country. But the current transaction was freely entered into between a local family and the Welsh Government. Hopefully a hardworking family will enjoy a comfortable retirement as a result.

SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

@senghenydd It is private property and the owners are entitled to dispose of it as they see fit if there are no plsnning restrictions. If the Council owned it, there would be grounds for preserving the heritage value.

I hope that the Council will make provision for childrens play space. And of course the beach should be freely available to all.

senghenydd · M

@SunshineGirl All the boxes have been apparently ticked like a change of use I'm surprised the Welsh Government never gave a thought about the children, no doubt you'll agree it's not all Smart Phones and PCs Fair grounds/Amusement parks are part of growing up I don't think it should of been allowed.

senghenydd · M

@SunshineGirl Yes I mentioned the fact previously a change of use was required and has been given, it'll be strange in future seeing the beach and no amusement park, maybe this will be the last Labour Government in Wales for some time, Oh I usually stay well away from politics it doesn't happen often but I do get annoyed now and again I expect a children's play space will be made I hope so.

senghenydd · M

@Midlifemale I feel your right it's all about the money as far as these Land Developers are concerned the children can play in the streets.

SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

@senghenydd The local authority has Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Section 106 at their disposal. If the proposed development has impacted negatively on the public realm, they can make planning consent conditional.on the developer making a financial.contribution to mitigate any loss. So if the development involves the closure of an important play space, the developers will be expected to fund a replacement.

Our local beach has concessions on the actual sand (swing boats, donkey rides, Punch & Judy) which operate seasonally.

senghenydd · M

@SunshineGirl I've just been chatting to a gentleman who mentions the Amusement Park at Portrush was destined for a similar fate and miraculously re-opened again as an Amusement Park under new owners, maybe that Property Developer had a change of heart as CIL and Section 106 would cut into his profit.

Porthcawl won't be so lucky the Welsh Government is backing this project Porthcawl is doomed.
Human nature being what it is the housing estate which will be built where the existing Amusement Park now stands will object to the Donkey rides on the beach and Punch & Judy will offend them.

There's no stopping progress it'll be interesting to see how this all ends some people will be pleased about this and others will be very angry at the loss of Coney Beach, what I am sure about is this will be discussed again and again.