A new children's role play centre could be coming to the Vale of Glamorgan if council planners approve an application by Starburst (UK) to convert an existing building in Windmill Parc, Barry. According to the applicant, this would be the first facility of its type—specifically this type of childcare provision—in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Details of the Proposed Centre
Planning documents state that the role play centre will be operated by The Roll Up Ltd and will be similar to their established facility in Pontyclun. It will provide themed role play areas designed to create a high-quality 'learning through play' environment for children aged 0 to 11. An ancillary café will primarily cater to on-site users of the play centre.
Operating hours are proposed as 9:30 to 18:00 Monday to Saturday and 9:30 to 16:30 on Sundays. The development would be run by four staff members: two full-time and two part-time employees.
Benefits of Role Play
The application emphasises the developmental benefits of role play, stating: "Role play allows children to act out real life situations by providing an opportunity for children to emulate what they see and practice skills. This is particularly important for a child's social and personal development, which increases a child's ability to positively interact with others, and encourages them to be independent and socially aware."
Parking and Noise Considerations
The site currently has eleven parking spaces. Plans include a designated pedestrian walkway connecting the access gate and separate parking area to the entrance via new zebra crossing points. Regarding noise, the application notes that the site is at the northern-most point of Windmill Park and not subject to significant industrial noise. It adds that any outside noise would likely be masked internally by children playing, and the level of noise generated is not considered significant given the site context.
Decision Timeline
A decision on the application is expected in August 2026.
