Latest news with #SaveCosmeston
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.
Wales Online
02-07-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Cosmeston Lakes Aqua Park staff 'intimidated' and 'harassed' by opponents of controversial scheme
Cosmeston Lakes Aqua Park staff 'intimidated' and 'harassed' by opponents of controversial scheme 'All the hard work done by the group and the members of the community so far cannot be discredited by this behaviour and it does not align with any of our values' - the group in charge of organising opposition to the park has said The plans have sparked a backlash (Image: Mark Lewis ) People have been warned not to harass and intimidate staff at the controversial Cosmeston Lakes Aqua Park. Plans to move the Cardiff Bay Aqua Park to the eastern lake at the park near Penarth 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. But the plans have sparked fierce backlash from local residents, environmentalists and conservation groups who argue it poses a threat to both public safety and sensitive wildlife habitats. Cosmeston Country Park spans over 100 acres and is home to a range of rare species, including the critically endangered water vole. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Since the plans were announced, a number of peaceful protests have been organised by opponents, including on June 14 when hundreds gathered to form a "human chain" around the lake. Protesters gathered around the lake against the proposals (Image: Mark Lewis ) Then, on June 25, just 10 days before the scheduled opening, a demonstration was planned outside the Senedd in Cardiff Bay. Article continues below However, the group involved in organising peaceful action against the aqua park has condemned members of the public who "intimidate", "embarrass" or "insult" staff who have been on site setting up the attraction. Save Cosmeston and the Vale shared a statement on Facebook implying that young workers were among those targeted, adding: "We do not condone this." The statement reads: "Just a reminder here that we are not here to intimidate staff of the aqua park or embarrass them, they are not the issue in this battle. "They are merely people trying to earn a living and should not be made uncomfortable in any sort of way. "Especially young people who are just expanding their skill set. We do not condone any harassment / insults / embarrassment to any of the aqua park staff. "Any members of the public that have been known to, or will in the future engage in actions that do this, should know that we do not condone this and will not be associated with the group further. "All the hard work done by the group and the members of the community so far cannot be discredited by this behaviour and it does not align with any of our values or the messages we have put out at any protest. "We believe in legal, respectful and viable methods of opposing the aqua park. Thank you." Article continues below WalesOnline has contacted Aqua Park Group for comment but received no response.
