**Vale of Glamorgan Council Faces Scrutiny over Handling of Controversial Water Park at Cosmeston Lakes**
The Vale of Glamorgan Council has come under significant scrutiny for its management of a new inflatable water park attraction at Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, a treasured green space near Penarth. The council’s decision to approve the project has sparked considerable discord among local politicians and residents, raising wider issues about transparency, environmental stewardship, and engagement with the public.
A heated council meeting saw members clash over the process that led to the Aqua Park, which began operating on 5 July, following a motion brought forward by the council’s Conservative group. While proponents in the council leadership claim the attraction will generate essential income for the ongoing upkeep of the park and create fresh job opportunities, many community members worry about the repercussions for the park’s unique natural environment and peaceful atmosphere.
Public opposition to the water park has been clearly evident, with a petition against its introduction having gathered more than 7,400 signatures so far. Many signatories fear that the Aqua Park, located on the eastern lake, could damage the local ecosystem and disrupt the tranquillity of an area popular for walking, wildlife watching and relaxation.
Conservative councillor George Carroll, leader of the opposition group, spoke out strongly at the meeting, describing Cosmeston as a “peaceful and quiet location that was not suitable for a development of this nature.” He criticised the council’s consultation process, suggesting there was insufficient communication with residents prior to the approval of the scheme.
The council’s cabinet first discussed the Aqua Park plans in March, with the proposal also undergoing review by the local environmental scrutiny committee before a licensing agreement was signed in April. Despite these official proceedings, several ward councillors, including those directly representing Cosmeston and bordering wards, stated they were only made aware of the plans as late as March, even though discussions date back as far as January 2025.
Some council members expressed sharp criticism regarding the council’s processes, with Cllr Anthony Ernest, Conservative representative for Plymouth, remarking: “I think the way in which the matter has come to scrutiny and to cabinet has all been back to front. I think it has been very badly handled.” His sentiment echoed those of Plaid Cymru’s Dinas Powys councillor, Chris Franks, who similarly felt the development had been mishandled.
The Conservative group’s motion did not merely target the water park’s approval, but also called on council leader Cllr Lis Burnett to apologise for what they described as her unfair remarks about local campaigners. In a previous Facebook post, Cllr Burnett had dismissed claims that the project had been rushed through without proper scrutiny as “malicious tripe,” a comment some felt was unnecessarily inflammatory. At the meeting, Burnett countered that her remarks had been taken out of context and described the motion as a “direct and personal attack”.
Aqua Park’s presence at Cosmeston Lakes is currently on a pilot basis until September 2025. After this initial period, the council intends to conduct a full review of the scheme’s impact before deciding whether to invite future operators to tender for the site. Council leaders maintain that due diligence was observed ahead of the water park’s launch, including completion of an ecology report and ongoing water quality monitoring throughout the pilot.
Deputy council leader Cllr Bronwen Brooks defended the move, explaining that the decision to add new leisure activities at Cosmeston arose from public consultations during the Placemaking Plan for Penarth, with many respondents requesting enhanced recreational facilities. She also stressed that environmental safeguards had been implemented: “Everything I have seen… I am content that wildlife is protected on Cosmeston Lake which is absolutely paramount to us.”
With environmental safeguarding at the forefront, and political tensions running high, the fate of the water park at Cosmeston remains uncertain. The council’s forthcoming evaluation of the pilot is likely to determine whether the promise of new leisure opportunities and financial benefit can be balanced with the imperative of protecting one of the Vale’s most cherished green spaces. The debate also raises broader questions about how councils should manage development in public parks and the importance of keeping lines of communication open between residents and decision-makers.