Aqua Park unlikely to return to Cosmeston Lake in 2026

Instead of reinstating the water-based attraction, the Council is proposing a 12-month period of ecological monitoring and testing, during which no new water activities would take place on Cosmeston Lake. The findings would then be used to help inform future decisions about the lake and the wider park.

Cosmeston Lakes Aqua Park trial ends after months of debate (Image: Nikita Singh)

Cllr Bronwen Brooks, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Sustainable Places, said the recommendation reflects a desire to balance accessibility, economic benefit and environmental protection.

“Our beautiful country parks are for everyone, so we want them to be as inclusive as possible offering different things for different people,” she said.

“With that in mind, we are keen to explore potential new uses for Cosmeston that could attract fresh visitors.

“Of course, it is vital that any new venture causes no damage to the delicate ecology of the park.

“That is why we are proposing 12 months of extensive testing which can be used to monitor such an impact.”

Aqua park introduces Quiet Sessions (Image: Aqua Park)

The Aqua Park was trialled on a small section of Cosmeston Lake between July and September last summer. During that time, regular independent testing was carried out, which indicated the attraction had no negative impact on the natural environment.

Cllr Brooks also pointed to the financial benefits of the trial, particularly at a time when councils are under increasing budget pressure.

“The Aqua Park trial generated a significant amount of income, boosting the local economy,” she said.

“Such revenue can also help cover the cost of vital services at a time when the Council continues to face financial challenges.”

A report produced by a company monitoring the economic impact of tourism found that the Aqua Park generated a total economic impact of nearly £1 million. Around 16,000 people visited the attraction, including participants and spectators, with visitors spending a combined £645,000 in the local area.

The report also showed that 22 per cent of the economic impact was generated by Vale of Glamorgan residents, while 78 per cent came from visitors from outside the area.

Over the next 12 months, further ecological assessments will take place, including additional bird breeding surveys and more detailed water quality testing. Alongside this, the Council will explore potential alternative opportunities for the lake and surrounding parkland.

The recommendations relating to Cosmeston Country Park are due to be considered by the Council’s Cabinet next week, when a final decision on whether to approve them will be made.

The Aqua Park trial proved controversial from the outset, sparking sustained opposition from some residents and environmental campaigners. Concerns were raised about noise, wildlife disturbance and the appropriateness of a commercial attraction within a country park.

The proposals prompted protests at Cosmeston, community walks around the lake and a petition calling on the Council to reconsider the scheme, highlighting the strength of feeling locally and the depth of attachment many people have to the site.

While some local residents have welcomed the recommendation as a chance for the park to return to a quieter, more nature-focused use over the summer, others will be watching closely to see whether the pause leads to genuinely different proposals, or simply delays a longer-term decision.

What happens next at Cosmeston may ultimately hinge on whether the Council can find a way to reconcile strong economic results with equally strong feelings about the park’s role as a protected natural space.