Birds 'driven away' at aqua park

A HERITAGE group has come out in opposition to a leisure attraction that opened earlier this summer.

- TED PESKETT

Penarth Civic Society held off its criticism of the Aqua Park site at Cosmeston Lakes until recently, claiming there had been a fall in the bird population at the country park.

Aqua Park Group has a deal with Vale of Glamorgan council to trial an attraction at Cosmeston until September.

After this, the local authority will assess the trial, which has been opposed by thousands of residents and park users, and decide whether or not to allow a more permanent attraction on site.

Penarth Civic Society trustee, David Noble, wrote to the council, saying: "We are very concerned that there has been a very detrimental effect on wildlife in the area. In particular, there are only two swans left on the lakes as many have been driven away.

"Birdlife by the visitor centre has also drastically changed. There are a few ducks, but seagulls are now the most prominent residents."

Mr Noble then went on to say the civic society was told about people using the aqua park at night when the facility was closed.