Hundreds form a human chain to stop cosmeston aqua park
The protest, included emotional speeches from young local voices, environmentalist comes as equipment continues to be delivered and tickets for the attraction are already on sale.
This is what we know so far:
The lake is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), home to rare species like the endangered Starry Stonewort and protected birdlife.
Multiple residents have reported past accidents involving submerged metal and unsafe water conditions.
Critics say the council is ignoring years of signage warning against swimming.
Concerns over increased littering, microplastics, noise, and habitat disruption are widespread.
Protesters accuse the council of prioritising profit over people, children and nature.
Hundreds gathered once again at Cosmeston to protest Aqua park (Image: Nikita Singh)
Here are the voices of young people and their thoughts on the development:
Jakub Szczech (22): "This lake is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It's home to the endangered Starry Stonewort plant. How will a giant inflatable park and thousands of people help preserve that?"
Georgia Bosley (23): "It's appalling that the Council is choosing short-term profit over biodiversity. Cosmeston is not a commercial site."
Seren Jeremy (23): "There's already dangerous metal debris under the water. How can anyone say this is safe?"
Georgia Williams (21): "The park is already unsafe for swimming. Add inflatables and hundreds of people and it becomes a disaster waiting to happen."
Holly Beacon (22): "Why destroy such peaceful, integral habitat just to make money?"
Ffion Jeremy (23): "This will devastate the ecosystem. Cosmeston may never recover."
Environmental groups have also raised concerns about microplastic pollution from the inflatables and increased litter, with fears that noise and human activity will displace or endanger already declining species like moorhens, swans, and water voles.
But not everyone opposes the development. Some local residents argue the Aqua Park will offer healthy recreation and attract families.
In an email to this publication, Penarth father Conor Crowley wrote: "We've used the Aqua Park in Cardiff Bay for years and it's been great. This is being blown out of proportion by a few grumpy residents who think they own the park."
Former First Minister Alun Michael also weighed in, saying: "If we can't put up with the sound of children enjoying themselves, what sort of society are we living in? Let's see how the pilot goes."
Aqua park development at Cosmeston (Image: Nikita Singh)
Still, opponents say that while they're not against fun or aqua parks in general, Cosmeston's fragile environment makes it the wrong location.
Despite the outcry, the Vale of Glamorgan Council says safety tests have been conducted and lifeguards will be present. Construction continues, and the council maintains the development will support conservation and boost local leisure.
With almost, 6000 signatures on a petition and protests planned including the next one on 5th of July, which is the scheduled opening day for the aqua park, the battle to save Cosmeston Country Park is only escalating.
As equipment rolls in and opposition grows louder, it remains to be seen whether the council will press on -or pause to reconsider. Will local voices, protests, and ecological concerns be enough to halt the project? Or is the Aqua Park at Cosmeston now inevitable?
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Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
Cosmeston Lake campaigners form human chain in protest over aqua park 'tragedy'
Cosmeston Lake campaigners form human chain in protest over aqua park 'tragedy' 'It's just a crazy idea. The thought of it makes me feel really upset' Peaceful protesters formed a human chain (Image: Mark Lewis ) Hundreds of people gathered together to make a human chain around a beautiful Welsh lake where there are plans to set up a controversial water park. On Saturday morning people from the Vale of Glamorgan displayed their concerns that the plans could cause parking chaos and harm wildlife at Cosmeston Country Park. Plans to move the Cardiff Bay Aqua Park to the eastern lake at the park were unveiled in May with an opening date set for July 5. A trial of the inflatable water course is set to last eight weeks over the summer months. Cosmeston Country Park covers 100 acres of land in Penarth, with an abundance of wildlife habitats, including that of the critically endangered water vole. Part of the park is a Site of Special Scientific Interest ensuring the protection of the rare and diverse plant and animal species that live there. With this in mind protesters came together in the hope that they can prevent the council going ahead and facilitating the water park - which they say is highly inappropriate for Cosmeston. Hundreds of people turned up (Image: Mark Lewis ) Vale of Glamorgan Council has previously said the aqua park would be a "great addition" to the site, and said there is "appetite locally" for the proposals. Article continues below WalesOnline went along to speak to some of the campaigners about why they decided to show their support on Saturday. Mark Rosomon was there with his wife Amanda. The 64-year-old said: 'We are here today because we are residents of Penarth. We have been for more than 30 years. Cosmeston is known for its beauty and peace (Image: Mark Lewis ) 'We believe this park is of great importance. It's been about 50 years old in the making and they want to scrap all that for the sake of making a few quid to help the council out. 'By the numbers here today you can see that people are against this water park. They've told us for years that the water is unsafe to swim in. 'It belongs to the people and it should remain belonging to the people for their personal enjoyment.' People are concerned for the wildlife (Image: Mark Lewis ) He said the couple's concerns are environmental, particularly the potential impact it may have on animals as well as more cars coming into the area. They want the decision to be reversed (Image: Mark Lewis ) 'All the [plans] will do is bring more people in from outside the area and we already don't have the infrastructure - it's going to increase the traffic,' he said. 'Already at the moment we can't move around Penarth and there is no parking. 'We came here today on our bicycles purely to come to this protest to show our support. We often walk our dog here. Even though we live in the town we walk to Cosmeston via the railway track that is there for pedestrian use. 'With all the pedestrianisation, why do we want to be bringing more and more vehicles into this area that is already crammed?' Mark and Amanda hold the fish and duck shaped signs (Image: Mark Lewis ) Elsie Phillips from Penarth and Kathie Thomas from Barry brought with them a huge poster that read: 'Stop the aqua park." Elsie, 70, said: 'It's a tragedy for the wildlife at Cosmeston. It's going to ruin the peaceful aspect of the whole park. It's just a crazy idea. The thought of it makes me feel really upset.' Kathie, 69, added: 'I'm here because I appreciate nature. I've always lived in Barry and I use Cosmeston a lot and I am really fed up with the council because they just do not listen. 'They seem to be deaf to any objection, so I want to do my bit. I don't usually do anything like this but I do think this is a really important cause. 'I think they are looking for money regardless. I don't think they are thinking of improving facilities here. I am pleased with the turn out but I would like it if more people were here.' Elsie is far left of the sign and Kathie is on the far left (Image: Mark Lewis ) Barry Action for Nature members Claire Curtis, Robert Curtis and Rebecca Glasson said they are not against aqua parks, but believe it would be inappropriate to bring one to Cosmeston. They said they enjoy watching birds at the park and that it would put them off wanting to visit - as well as possibly discouraging such birds to nest there. Claire, 61, said: 'We are members of Barry Action for Nature and the aqua park being here at Cosmeston is completely the wrong place. 'We aren't against aquaparks but somewhere else, not here. This is a country park for nature and peace and we are totally against it being located here. 'It makes me feel angry because you come here for the nature and the peace and quiet and for family time and to be able to enjoy this beautiful park. It's totally the wrong place. 'We understand that the council does need to try and make money where it can because things are really tight at the moment but this is not the right place and nature has to come before money on this occasion.' Claire, Robert and Rebecca (Image: Mark Lewis ) Robert, 60, said: 'I feel so frustrated, it's such a wonderful place. People come here for the silence, the solitude and peacefulness of it all and they're going to take that away. 'Inevitably nature will then disappear for such a wonderful site. It goes against everything we should be doing to support nature.' Locals believe it is inappropriate to have the water park at Cosmeston (Image: Mark Lewis ) Rebecca Glasson added: 'It's classed as a conservation area and I worry about the impact, the disturbance to wildlife and nesting birds aren't going to nest around here with so much noise.' Anne Turnbull and her husband Steve were also present. Anne, 63, pointed out that part of the country park is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). In Wales it is strongly discouraged and often prohibited to build on these. She said she believes they have gotten around this because the water park is considered temporary. Anne and Steve also disagree with the plans (Image: Mark Lewis ) She said: 'This is a SSRI. They got around it because you are not allowed to put any permanent development even within the vicinity of, let alone in an SSRI. They got around it by saying it's temporary. 'The council were judge and jury. It's going against every grain that you could put something in temporarily for the next 10 years. There was a letter sent out a few years [ago] saying that you can't build in an SSRI - and they found a way around it.' Marc Harris is a local nature writer who was invited to the protest to read an extract from his book 'South and West Wales. Its Wildlife, People and Places'. Marc Harries (Image: Mark Lewis ) He was invited after he shared a picture on social media of one of Cosmeston's beautiful water voles eating an apple. He said: 'I put a post on Facebook of a photo I took of a water vole and got a lot of likes because they're cute. The cute water vole enjoying an apple at Cosmeston (Image: Marc Harries ) 'I write about nature and I've written about Cosmeston and Barry Island, so they invited me to read an extract from my book. 'It's important to me because it's completely the wrong place for an aqua park. I'm not against aqua parks at all, but it is the wrong place because of the detrimental effects it will have on wildlife. 'I do hope it is stopped. I think the council has made a wrong decision and they should retract it.' Vale of Glamorgan Council and Aqua Park Cardiff has been approached for comment. Cllr Bronwen Brooks, deputy leader and cabinet member for sustainable places at the council, previously said: "The Aqua Park will be another great addition to the already fantastic offer at Cosmeston Country Park as the council continues to promote sustainable tourism and leisure activities in the area. "Consultation with residents through the Council's placemaking work has shown there is appetite locally - particularly among young people - for more varied leisure activities, and the re-introduction of water-based activities at Cosmeston will help us to ensure that our Country Parks are for everyone. "Trying new things is at the heart of what we do as an ambitious Council, and this pilot could also enable further income opportunities for our Country Parks – especially in supporting the re-wilding and conservation work already underway at Cosmeston. "The Vale of Glamorgan Council has worked with a number of partner agencies to ensure that the lake is safe for Aqua Park visitors to enjoy – including a detailed programme of water testing work." Connor James, founder of Aqua Park Cardiff, previously said: "We're thrilled to bring Aqua Park Cardiff to Cosmeston Lakes by partnering with The Vale of Glamorgan Council. "The Country Park is a fantastic venue for our exciting watersport experience, perfect for supervised adventure and family fun. With an exciting new course of obstacles, we can't wait to welcome visitors to our incredible new home. "We are also really excited to be playing our part in giving people and families much-needed access to active outdoor experience, in a controlled and supervised environment to help boost their physical and mental well-being." Article continues below
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- South Wales Argus
Hundreds form a human chain to stop cosmeston aqua park
The protest, included emotional speeches from young local voices, environmentalist comes as equipment continues to be delivered and tickets for the attraction are already on sale. This is what we know so far: The lake is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), home to rare species like the endangered Starry Stonewort and protected birdlife. Multiple residents have reported past accidents involving submerged metal and unsafe water conditions. Critics say the council is ignoring years of signage warning against swimming. Concerns over increased littering, microplastics, noise, and habitat disruption are widespread. Protesters accuse the council of prioritising profit over people, children and nature. Hundreds gathered once again at Cosmeston to protest Aqua park (Image: Nikita Singh) Here are the voices of young people and their thoughts on the development: Jakub Szczech (22): "This lake is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It's home to the endangered Starry Stonewort plant. How will a giant inflatable park and thousands of people help preserve that?" Georgia Bosley (23): "It's appalling that the Council is choosing short-term profit over biodiversity. Cosmeston is not a commercial site." Seren Jeremy (23): "There's already dangerous metal debris under the water. How can anyone say this is safe?" Georgia Williams (21): "The park is already unsafe for swimming. Add inflatables and hundreds of people and it becomes a disaster waiting to happen." Holly Beacon (22): "Why destroy such peaceful, integral habitat just to make money?" Ffion Jeremy (23): "This will devastate the ecosystem. Cosmeston may never recover." Environmental groups have also raised concerns about microplastic pollution from the inflatables and increased litter, with fears that noise and human activity will displace or endanger already declining species like moorhens, swans, and water voles. But not everyone opposes the development. Some local residents argue the Aqua Park will offer healthy recreation and attract families. In an email to this publication, Penarth father Conor Crowley wrote: "We've used the Aqua Park in Cardiff Bay for years and it's been great. This is being blown out of proportion by a few grumpy residents who think they own the park." Former First Minister Alun Michael also weighed in, saying: "If we can't put up with the sound of children enjoying themselves, what sort of society are we living in? Let's see how the pilot goes." Aqua park development at Cosmeston (Image: Nikita Singh) Still, opponents say that while they're not against fun or aqua parks in general, Cosmeston's fragile environment makes it the wrong location. Despite the outcry, the Vale of Glamorgan Council says safety tests have been conducted and lifeguards will be present. Construction continues, and the council maintains the development will support conservation and boost local leisure. With almost, 6000 signatures on a petition and protests planned including the next one on 5th of July, which is the scheduled opening day for the aqua park, the battle to save Cosmeston Country Park is only escalating. As equipment rolls in and opposition grows louder, it remains to be seen whether the council will press on -or pause to reconsider. Will local voices, protests, and ecological concerns be enough to halt the project? Or is the Aqua Park at Cosmeston now inevitable?
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
I'm a mum & don't own a bin – I think piling up rubbish is gross but I'm not alone, it's a telltale sign you're council
THERE'S nothing worse than an overflowing bin that you can smell as soon as you walk into the house. And that's exactly why Gem has always used a bag instead of a bin. 2 2 In fact, despite having her own home, she still doesn't even own a bin - and says the lack of one in a house is a telltale sign she's "council". "I've just seen a post that said, 'Are you even council if you haven't got a bag hanging on the door instead of a bin?'" she began her video on TikTok. "Now, I am council and I do not own a bin! We don't have a bin. We have a bag. "We don't have a bin - I don't like them. And I don't know if it's a council thing. "I just don't like bins. "I've said it before but no, the rubbish goes outside... you don't have the rubbish indoors!" Gem's daughter Rose was even left giggling when she saw the previous video about being "council" for having no bin, and said: "That's mummy, isn't it!" "Are you even council if you don't have a carrier bag on a door instead of a bin?" Gem wrote over the top of her video. And she quickly found that she wasn't alone in her thoughts about where to put rubbish. "I moved out of my parents 14 years ago and I have never owned a bin," one wrote. "Straight into a 30p carrier then goes outside!" "No bin in my house, they always get in the way and stink," another said. "I spent years using a plastic bag but I found a small bin that hangs over the kitchen cupboard door now!" "Currently sat here with a blue bag hanging off my door handle," a third laughed, as someone else joked "I've found my people!" "Same!!!!! People think its odd we don't have a bin indoors," another added. "I'm not council but I've NEVER had a bin! Into a bag then straight to the outside bin every night!!" someone else insisted. What is a hack for making changing the bin easier? THERE is in fact a way to make your rubbish-collecting chores far simpler - and it involves using multiple bags. Want in on the time-saving trick? Here's what you need to do. Step 1 Take out a fresh bin liner and open it up - but don't put it in your bin yet. Step 2 Take a second bin bag, place it inside the first bag and open it up - so that they're nestled inside each other. Continue to do this until 10 bags are neatly inside. Step 3 Carefully place the entire bin bag fusion inside your bin before folding the tops over the lip. The next time you fill a bag, simply lift it up out of the bin and another one will be good to go straight away. There you go! You'll never change your bin in the same way again. "Grew up council, not council now but still do this," another wrote. "Bag for me! I'm council and I hate bins," someone else said. "Hate the smell, hate the dirtiness, hate the germs and hate emptying when the bags over full. "I fill a bag and throw away or it goes straight out to the bins to right." "I don't have a bin in my kitchen," another wrote. "You can take the girl out the council but you can't take the council out the GIRL!" "Whatttt! I did not realise this was lower class stuff!" someone else laughed. However, others were more on the side of bins, with one admitting they have "three bins AND the bag". "If I'm paying 30p a carrier then I'm using the way I want too," one said. "Bin all the way!" "I have to walk down 3 flights of stairs, cross the main road, walk down a little bit, unlock a door on the main road, go down a shady little alley, put my rubbish in my bin & make my merry way home," another said. "I'd be doing this hourly if I didn't have a bin!" "I'm council but I've always had a bin," a third insisted.
