Brushstrokes go into battle ... novel bid to 'save' famous waterfall

WHEN summering in northwest Wales, 19th century artist David Cox travelled to paint a spectacular but less celebrated waterfall near Ffestiniog in Eryri (Snowdonia).

- Andrew Forgrave

His watercolour, now in the British Museum, London, was to become regarded as the iconic view of Rhaeadr y Cwm, a tumble of water now mired in a battle between a farming family and seven conservation groups.

For more than three decades the waterfall has been considered a potential site for a small scale hydroelectric scheme.

The latest proposal, submitted last year by three local farming brothers, has run into opposition from a coalition of concerned organisations.

With nearly 70% of its water due to be diverted through pipes, critics argue one of the national park’s “most striking waterfalls” risks losing its distinctive gorge habitats.

These are home to rare, damp-loving mosses and liverwort.

With the scheme expected to be con-