Latest news with #LisBurnett
BBC News
19-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Vale of Glamorgan council defends Cosmeston aqua park emails
Council bosses have defended comments made in correspondence made public after plans for a controversial water park were given the to the attraction at Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, near Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, obtained emails involving the council and Aqua Park Group using the Freedom of Information showed the firm proposed a potential 15-year deal and was told there was an "agreement to move forward with you behind the scenes".But council leader Lis Burnett said no agreement to begin the trial was made before a decision was made by cabinet members in March, and that a suggested 15-year term was at the company's suggestion alone. A council spokesperson also said the comment "moving forward" referred to moving forward with the preparation of a draft heads of terms document and discussions on requirements for water sampling and other operational added that if cabinet members had not given their approval in March, and if Natural Resources Wales had not issued its consent, "discussions would have stopped".The attraction had wanted to relocate after being based in Cardiff Bay since 2019 and includes an inflatable assault course with slides and climbing frames Councillors raised concerns about the emails obtained by the Save Cosmeston and the Vale campaign group during Monday's full council accused the authority of not involving locally-elected representatives and residents sooner as discussions about the scheme went back to it was only in March when the plans were discussed publicly at a council cabinet ward councillor Anthony Ernest said it had been "very badly handled".And Plaid Cymru group leader Ian Johnson said he had "strong concerns" about how quickly it went from being publicised to receiving email from a Vale Council officer to Aqua Park Group on 23 January said there was an agreement for the council to pursue a licence for the company to trial an attraction at Cosmeston Lakes this went on to add that a report on the proposal would need to go before council cabinet members and stated "it will be essential to avoid any sort of publicity about your move before the cabinet report is agreed". Ms Burnett told councillors: "It is entirely normal for staff to have discussions with potential partners to assess feasibility before bringing proposals to cabinet and the council's other committees."This is necessary to allow us to carry out due diligence and risk assessments in the public interest."The aqua park is being trialled until September after which the council will decide whether to consider allowing such an attraction to operate the following season at the country park which has been an official nature reserve since 2013.
The Irish Sun
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Free car parking SCRAPPED in ‘very popular' UK resorts impacting over 50,000 drivers
FREE on-street parking is set to be axed at two popular seaside spots, hitting more than 50,000 residents. The move has sparked fury among locals and traders. Advertisement 2 Council research showed that more people were opting to park on the street rather than using nearby car parks Credit: Getty Cabinet members gave the final go-ahead on Thursday, July 3, after reviewing further evidence about how parking spaces are being used. Council research found more people were choosing on-street spaces over nearby Officials also flagged growing abuse of the current system, with Advertisement Read more on Motors To address this, new on-street charges will apply along the Barry Island and Penarth Esplanades. Parking will remain free before 10am, with a £2.50 charge applying from 10am to noon. After that, rates go up to £4 for three hours and £6 for a maximum four-hour stay. Cllr Lis Burnett, Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: 'These charges are designed to reduce congestion and Advertisement Most read in Motors 'It has also been proven that people are moving directly from one on-street parking space to another, deliberately abusing the current system by overstaying. "We need to stop that. We also want to increase the turnover and availability of spaces. 'The income raised will be reinvested into the resorts and 'We have made on-street parking at resorts free before 10am to try and accommodate those living locally and restricted Advertisement Additional changes include charges being introduced at other nearby car parks – Cold Knap, Bron-y-Mor, Cliff Walk, Portabello and West Farm – following completion of a statutory consultation. Some of the sites will also see improvements, including resurfacing and more disabled bays. The council insists any surplus income from these fees will go towards transport projects, highway upkeep and resort maintenance. But many locals aren't convinced. Advertisement People took to social media to voice their anger. One X user posted: 'Shocking! As I have said previously, when have the council members EVER worried about or listened to the people?' Another said: 'I can not believe this at all.' Traders have also raised concerns that the move could put off visitors and damage business at the height of the summer season. Advertisement Despite the backlash, the council will also push on with plans to shut the Court Road multi-storey car park in Barry as part of the same review. The new parking rules will now enter a 21-day public consultation phase under the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) process, before they are fully enforced. 2 Parking will remain free before 10am, with a £2.50 charge applying from 10am to noon Credit: Getty
South Wales Argus
24-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Cosmeston Aqua Park protestors to take fight to Senedd
This latest move follows two earlier demonstrations, one on June 9, where hundreds gathered at Cosmeston Lake voicing concerns over safety and environmental impact, and a second on June 14, where protesters formed a human chain around the lake in a powerful show of unity. Throughout the backlash, Vale of Glamorgan Council Leader Lis Burnett has publicly defended the development, rejecting accusations of rushed planning and insisting the Aqua Park trial followed all necessary procedures. The protest is scheduled for 3pm on Wednesday, outside the home of the Welsh Parliament in Cardiff Bay, and ten days before the Aqua Park is due to open. Organisers are encouraging participants to bring drums, saucepans, or any noisy items to make their voices heard during the 'Raise the Voice for the Voiceless' peaceful protest. The Aqua Park, which is set to operate at Cosmeston Lakes near Penarth over a trial period this summer, has faced growing backlash from environmental groups and local residents. Despite over 7,000 petition signatures in opposition, the plans have already been approved by Vale of Glamorgan councillors. Cosmeston aqua park protesters to rally at Senedd (Image: Nikita Singh) Campaigners argue that the Aqua Park poses significant risks to both public safety and the ecological integrity of the site, which includes designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). The park, awarded nature reserve status in 2013, is home to rare and protected plant and animal life. The opposition group, Save Cosmeston and the Vale, part of the Vale Action Group, now says it is considering legal action as a last resort. They claim the council has not provided adequate consultation and that the ecological and water safety tests conducted were insufficient. The Aqua Park's operators, who previously ran the attraction in Cardiff Bay, were forced to relocate following water quality concerns at that site. Concerns also persist over the use of the Eastern Lake, which had a long-standing ban on swimming due to its past use as a quarry. The campaign group questions how it has now been deemed safe, stating they believe lives could be at risk. Protest organisers have thanked supporters for their contributions and encouraged continued participation. For more information, contact Nicola Ludvigsen at nicolalud@
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Marina plans in doubt after backer pulls out
Plans to build a marina as part of a multi-million pound overhaul of Barry waterfront are in doubt after a major backer announced it would no longer be financing it. Associated British Ports (ABP) said it could no longer provide the "significant investment" required to build a marina on the waterfront in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan. The marina formed part of redevelopment plans which also include a new watersports centre, park, housing and offices. Vale of Glamorgan Council said it was "extremely disappointed" by the decision but that it remained confident the rest of the project could go ahead. Derelict Victorian hotel on most endangered list Town's waterfront plans approved The project to develop the waterfront, known as Barry Making Waves, formed the basis of an application for £20m of levelling-up funding under the previous Conservative UK government. Following a spending review, in October 2024 Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed Barry would receive its funding. A spokesperson for ABP said following its own review, it had come to the "regretful conclusion" that it can no longer "proceed with the significant investment required in a marina". "We are looking at the right, viable ways we can contribute to the project and council's goals," they said, adding the company wanted to contribute to "more growth and prosperity for Barry". Council leader Lis Burnett described the decision as a "clear setback" but said she was confident the project would still go ahead. "We believe the project can be delivered without the marina component, subject to UK government agreement," the Local Democracy Reporting Service reports. Andrew RT Davies, Conservative Member of the Senedd (MS) for South Wales Central, described the decision as "extremely concerning". "The marina is a key part of plans to level up Barry and losing this investment is a huge blow," he said, adding that action was required to attract new partners. Mark Hooper, a Plaid Cymru councillor for the Barry waterfront area, said he was "surprised" by the announcement, and that the market testing "should have been completed long ago". "We in Barry need answers. Why was so much time and energy sunk into these plans if business partners hadn't already carried out their due diligence?"
BBC News
31-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Barry marina plans in doubt after backer pulls out
Plans to build a marina as part of a multi-million pound overhaul of Barry waterfront are in doubt after a major backer announced it would no longer be financing British Ports (ABP) said it could no longer provide the "significant investment" required to build a marina on the waterfront in Barry, Vale of marina formed part of redevelopment plans which also include a new watersports centre, park, housing and of Glamorgan Council said it was "extremely disappointed" by the decision but that it remained confident the rest of the project could go ahead. The project to develop the waterfront, known as Barry Making Waves, formed the basis of an application for £20m of levelling-up funding under the previous Conservative UK a spending review, in October 2024 Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed Barry would receive its funding.A spokesperson for ABP said following its own review, it had come to the "regretful conclusion" that it can no longer "proceed with the significant investment required in a marina"."We are looking at the right, viable ways we can contribute to the project and council's goals," they said, adding the company wanted to contribute to "more growth and prosperity for Barry".Council leader Lis Burnett described the decision as a "clear setback" but said she was confident the project would still go ahead."We believe the project can be delivered without the marina component, subject to UK government agreement," the Local Democracy Reporting Service RT Davies, Conservative Member of the Senedd (MS) for South Wales Central, described the decision as "extremely concerning"."The marina is a key part of plans to level up Barry and losing this investment is a huge blow," he said, adding that action was required to attract new Hooper, a Plaid Cymru councillor for the Barry waterfront area, said he was "surprised" by the announcement, and that the market testing "should have been completed long ago"."We in Barry need answers. Why was so much time and energy sunk into these plans if business partners hadn't already carried out their due diligence?"
