A well-known businessman who has won a nearly two-year battle to bring an arcade to a quaint Welsh town has called the many people who opposed his plans “hurtful, embarrassing and stupid”. Henry Danter, who owns Barry Island pleasure park, applied for permission to turn his vacant unit at Agincourt Square in Monmouth into an arcade in early 2021.
However, he was met with derision from people who thought the arcade would lead to antisocial behaviour and would have a negative impact on people’s wellbeing.Monmouthshire council’s planning committee listened to the 200 objections and a 529-strong petition and rejected Mr Danter’s plans earlier this year, but Mr Danter then responded by appealing the decision.
In September Monmouthshire council told WalesOnline they were “awaiting the appeal decision with interest to see whether the inspector agrees with the council’s view” that the plans would “have a harmful effect on the vitality, attractiveness and viability of the central shopping area”.
