Latest news with #AquaPark
Wales Online
a day ago
- General
- Wales Online
Protest held at Cosmeston Lake against controversial plans for water park
Protest held at Cosmeston Lake against controversial plans for water park Young and old gathered to raise concerns around the protected site losing its wildlife habitats Protestors gathered at the lake this morning (Image: Taite Johnson ) Young and old came together to protest against controversial plans to set up a water park at a quiet, country lake. People in Penarth and the wider Vale of Glamorgan area demonstrated their anger towards the council, raising their concerns for the wildlife and biodiversity at Cosmeston Country Park. Plans to move the Cardiff Bay Aqua Park to the eastern lake at the country park were unveiled in May with an opening date set for July 5. The trial of the inflatable water course will last eight weeks over the summer months. Protesters joined together, with placards in hand, at the main entrance of the country park today - Monday, June 9 - to peacefully protest against the plans. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here Cosmeston Country Park covers 100 acres of land in Penarth, with an abundance of wildlife habitats. 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. Angela Peterken is a forest school leader, educating children in the natural environment at the park, including near the eastern lake. She held a sign at the protest that said: "Forest School says keep Cosmeston for wildlife!" Article continues below Angela is passionate about protecting the nature and tranquillity of the lake and fears that the waterpark will have a negative impact on it. She said: "We want people to enjoy the park and part of that is the peace and quiet here. I'm not against the AquaPark being put in another location, but I am completely against it being here. "This is a fantastic habitat for special animals, we need to protect that. We know that it is only temporary for now but you can't tell the wildlife to come back in eight weeks, it doesn't work like that." A nine-year-old member of the forest school at the country park says she probably wouldn't use it and that the plans are 'ridiculous'. She said: "It's a wildlife park and the idea of putting a water park here is ridiculous. It's the wildlife home. "We walk along the lake as part of forest school and it's usually quiet but the water park would make it busy." "Leave Cosmeston to the wildlife" (Image: Taite Johnson ) A petition against the Aqua Park has gained over 5,000 signatures with residents and members of the local community worried about the water quality of the lake, the impact it would have on wildlife and the environmental impact. In response the Vale of Glamorgan Council wrote: "We have 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. "The testing has shown no issues with the quality of the water and it will continue to be monitored throughout the trial period." One member of the community said: "The site is an SSSI, the whole point of having a protected area is that things like this don't happen. The light, sounds and vibration pollution will affect all the animals, birds mammals, fish and insects. "It would be so sad to see the Aqua Park here. It has upset my children, they have been visibly upset asking 'Mummy, why are they doing it?'" Philippa, Saar and Heather organised the protest at the lake (Image: Taite Johnson ) Philippa Newman organised the protest alongside Saar Lenaerts-Williams after feeling angry at the council for not listening tot he people in the community. Whilst the council confirmed that an ecological assessment was undertaken and that the water park "will have no significant negative impact on local birdlife or water vole populations", many people including Phillipa were not happy with the report. She said: "I understand things are underfunded, I know that we need things in the area but just not here. We are at a pivotal time for climate change, we have so little of these habitats, we shouldn't be destroying what we do have. "What are the council's plans for the wildlife when we take their home?" Cllr Bronwen Brooks, deputy leader and cabinet member for sustainable places, 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, 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
Wales Online
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Spectacular new Welsh water park with inflatable assault course poised to open
Spectacular new Welsh water park with inflatable assault course poised to open An opening date has been confirmed and it's just weeks away Cardiff Bay Aqua Park which is moving to a new location (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) An opening date has been announced for a new water park which is coming to a popular Welsh country park. Vale of Glamorgan Council entered into an agreement with Aqua Park Group this year for it to trial a water park at Cosmeston Lake during the summer months. The council and Aqua Park, which runs a number of other water parks across the country, have announced the attraction will be open on Saturday, July 5. Residents and councillors have raised concerns about the plans to allow the attraction at Cosmeston, but council officials insisted conditions would be in place to protect wildlife and the attraction would be restricted to the eastern side of the lake. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here The water park will be much like the Aqua Park attraction which used to be at Cardiff Bay, featuring an assault course with inflatable equipment, slides and climbing frames. It was revealed at a Vale of Glamorgan Council scrutiny committee meeting in March that Aqua Park was unable to operate at Cardiff Bay this year due to issues with water quality. The council's director of place, Marcus Goldsworthy, said the decision to move the attraction presented an opportunity for the council to generate income for improving park facilities at Cosmeston. However, concerns remain about the impact it could have. A petition opposing the plans has so far gained 3,965 signatures. At the Vale Council scrutiny committee meeting in March, Conservative councillor, Cllr Anthony Ernest, said the more he heard about the plans for the water park, the more concerned he grew about its potential impact. A Labour councillor on the scrutiny committee, Cllr Elliot Penn, asked about water quality monitoring on site. Mr Goldsworthy said the water at Cosmeston was tested twice a year to ensure quality was maintained and added that the lake had been used for water-based activities in the past. Vale of Glamorgan Council's cabinet member for sustainable places, Cllr Bronwen Brooks, 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.' At the end of September, the council will carry out an evaluation of the water park pilot and decide if it will go out to tender for someone to operate an attraction on site for the next season. Article continues below
ITV News
30-05-2025
- General
- ITV News
Aqua Park to be installed at a popular beauty spot despite opposition from more than 2,000 people
An inflatable water park is set to be installed at a popular beauty spot despite opposition from more than 2,000 people. Vale of Glamorgan Council has approved the use of the eastern lake at Cosmeston Country Park, Penarth, to pilot the new Aqua Park attraction ahead of the school summer holidays. It follows the announcement that Aqua Park Cardiff won't be re-opening this summer in Cardiff Bay due to poor water quality. It is expected that the Aqua Park will open in its new location on Saturday 5th July 2025, and will remain open until mid-September. It will feature an inflatable obstacle course, including climbing walls, trampolines and giant slides. Cllr Bronwen Brooks, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Sustainable Places, 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. Locals previously raised concerns and started a petition. Rachel Morgan, who started the petition, said: 'For years, Cosmeston Lake has been officially deemed unsafe for swimming, raising serious concerns over the safety measures underpinning the Aqua Park's proposal. 'Contained within this park are some of Penarth's most diverse and fragile ecosystems, home to numerous species of wildlife. The recent proposal to introduce an Aqua Park this coming summer poses a significant and direct threat to this refuge.' Cosmeston Lake Country Park contains areas designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), protected by law against damage from development or damaging management practices due to the rare and diverse plants and animal species found there. Home to swans, mallards and otters among other waterfowl, 25.6 hectares of the lake also hold SSSI status to protect the endangered starry stonewort plant. And in 2019, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) completed a four-year reintroduction project of water voles to the lake, which are a protected species in the UK. While the east side of the lake has been used in the past for water-based leisure activities such as boating, paddle boarding and canoeing, local residents fear that relocating the aqua park there will threaten public health, swimmer safety, as well as the wildlife and habitats in and around the lake. The Vale of Glamorgan Council says it 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 - and there will be on-site security to reduce any opportunities for anti-social behaviour – including unauthorised camping, lighting of fires, vandalism, fly-tipping. Connor James, founder of Aqua Park Cardiff, said: "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. "With household budgets likely to be limited again this year, we've got an amazing offer on our Aqua Park Season Passes, which means people can book up to twice a week for the whole summer giving families an easy and cost-effective way to keep the kids active throughout a staycation summer.' All visitors to Aqua Park Cardiff will be provided buoyancy aids, but must be aged six and over, 1.2m tall and able to swim 25 metres unaided to take part.
Daily Mail
18-05-2025
- Daily Mail
The 'secret' Kent beach that could rival the Amalfi Coast - with crystal-clear waters and huge aqua park
The Amalfi Coast is one of Europe's dreamiest destinations. But what if you could get a similar vibe at a 'secret' beach in Kent? Located in Hailing, St Andrews is a 70 acre lake with sparkling blue water that has earned it comparisons to the Amalfi. Although it was once a quarry, the lake is now a watersports paradise with a pretty beach to match. The lake's beach has soft golden sand with easy access to its 'beautifully clean turquoise waters'. At the Aqua Park, which is Kent's largest, guests can tackle floating obstacles and soar down slides in the middle of the lake. If that's not for you, St Andrews Lakes also has kayaks, paddleboards, pedalos and bell boats available for hire. There's also a zipwire across the lake and a 33ft 'zip tower' where tourists can 'test their courage' by stepping off into a free fall with a controlled landing. One visitor to St Andrews Lakes even described their visit as being as good as a trip to the Maldives. 'Joel O' says: 'Unreal views and stunning setting. Like being in the Maldives.' And the beach has also caught the attention of TikTokers. In a video shared to the platform by @enyoglowsup, the TikToker films herself getting ready to travel to St Andrews Lakes. She says: 'To all my lovelies who live in Kent and say that Kent is boring and there's nothing to do, I'm about to blow your mind right now.' Once there, she relaxes under the sun on a lounger by the 'secret' lake's water. Visitors do have to pay £25 per adult to access the beach while children can enter for £7.50. Each adult ticket includes a sun lounger.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Water park to move after water quality concerns
A summer water park will not operate in Cardiff Bay this year over concerns about water quality. Aqua Park is set to move to Cosmeston Lake in Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, after it told the council issues over water quality had left it "unable to operate" following heavy rain. The attraction has operated in the Welsh capital since 2019 and includes an inflatable assault course with slides and climbing frames. Cardiff Harbour Authority said water quality in Cardiff Bay was "routinely" checked, but increased rainfall and higher river flows in recent summers had increased the number of failed tests. Vale of Glamorgan Council's director of place, Marcus Goldsworthy said the move presented an opportunity to generate new income for improving facilities at Cosmeston. An agreement to run a pilot between May and September is set to be signed next month. Speaking at a Vale of Glamorgan Council environment and regeneration scrutiny committee meeting on Tuesday, Mr Goldsworthy said the operator had a "number of issues in Cardiff Bay around water quality" and was not able to operate for the days it needed to. He added: "Essentially every time there was heavy rain, the water quality was so bad that they were unable to operate so they basically just couldn't carry on functioning in a financially viable way in Cardiff Bay. "In respect of water quality, the water is tested twice a year at Cosmeston to ensure that quality is maintained." Aqua Park first opened in Cardiff Bay in 2019 but was forced to close during the Covid-19 pandemic. It reopened for the 2023 and 2024 summer seasons. Vale of Glamorgan Council will carry out a full evaluation of the pilot and decide if it will go out to tender for someone to operate an attraction at Cosmeston next year. A Cardiff Harbour Authority spokesperson said water quality in Cardiff Bay was "routinely tested" and managed in line with EU bathing water standards. "Maintaining public health is our top priority and if water quality fails to reach the necessary standards then steps are taken to protect Bay users," they added. The authority said recent wet summers had increased rainfall and river flows, resulting in more failed tests. "Cardiff Harbour Authority has no control over the quality of the water that flows into the Bay and as has been well publicised recently, water quality is an issue in rivers, lakes and other fresh water bodies across the UK." Governments to investigate River Wye pollution Wales' water pollution spikes, despite £483m spend More Welsh attractions 'at risk' as Oakwood shuts
