'It is the wildlife's home. Aqua Park plan is ridiculous'

YOUNG and old came together to protest against controversial plans to set up a water park on a country lake.

- TAITE JOHNSON

People from 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 period for the inflatable water course will last eight weeks over the summer months.

Objectors, with placards in hand, gathered at the main entrance of the country park on Monday to peacefully protest against the plans.

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 (SSSI), ensuring the protection of 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.

Holding a sign that read “Forest School says keep Cosmeston for wildlife”, she said: “We want people to enjoy the park and part of that is the peace and quiet here. I’m not against the Aqua Park 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.”