MANY years ago, Penarth was home to a tidal pool that eventually became unusable and was eventually scrapped.

However, one Penarth man is proposing that the pool makes a return.

Dai Williams was struck with the idea months ago, but was told to wait until after the local elections in May before approaching councillors with a view to exploring the possibility of bring back the tidal pool.

Now the new administration is settled in, Mr Williams has raised the question of a tidal pool in Penarth.

Mr Williams said: "The idea stemmed from myself and my wife going on holiday for a little break down in Devon.

"We've done a bit of swimming ourselves and we thought we would visit a few tidal pools, so we went to the one in Clevedon.

"I just got thinking along the lines of 'I don't know of any tidal pools in Wales'.

"Then it dawned on me, wouldn't it be great if we could have one in Penarth?

"If something like this did happen, there are already good foundations for such a facility with the seawall and the right angle that possibly connects to the pier."

The idea has been greeted with enthusiasm, with Plymouth ward councillor Anthony Ernest, who recently spoke out about improving the Esplanade, among those backing the plan.

Cllr Ernest said he would support the idea in principle, but that a business proposal will have to be submitted.

Confessing that he has no business background, Mr Williams is worried that this will be "a bit of a stumbling block."

The finances of such a project are yet to be worked out, but it is likely to not be cheap.

Most existing tidal pools are based around old Victorian pools that have been rejuvenated, but in Penarth it would have to be built from scratch.

Cllr Ernest is unsure of what the exact cost would be to build and maintain a tidal pool, but said: "there's absolutely no reason I think why we couldn't reinstate a pool."

The proposal for the pool would go on a list called the capital programme, which is a list of schemes that are desirable but not a priority for the council.

There are already a number of ideas on this list, so the tidal pool may not become a reality for a number of years.

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However, these hurdles are not dissuading Mr Williams and he is currently getting in touch with tidal pool groups in England, such as in Clevedon and Brixham.

Cllr Ernest was of the belief that that if a pool is reinstated, that it would be more of a paddling pool geared towards children.

"I think calling it a splash pool is probably the most appropriate term for it," he said.

"The idea is a good one and  the other thing I think it encourages youngsters to understand water.

"Just for them to get their feet wet for the first time when they're very young.

"Very often young people today have no concept of going into the sea and something like a splash pool like that is a good start for them.

"So they go in and get their feet wet, probably go a bit cold as well, but at least they've got an appreciation of what the sea is like a little bit further down from where they are."