Hundreds form a human chain to stop cosmeston aqua park

South Wales Argus

14-06-2025

The protest, included emotional speeches from young local voices, environmentalist comes as equipment continues to be delivered and tickets for the attraction are already on sale.
This is what we know so far:
The lake is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), home to rare species like the endangered Starry Stonewort and protected birdlife.
Multiple residents have reported past accidents involving submerged metal and unsafe water conditions.
Critics say the council is ignoring years of signage warning against swimming.
Concerns over increased littering, microplastics, noise, and habitat disruption are widespread.
Protesters accuse the council of prioritising profit over people, children and nature.
Hundreds gathered once again at Cosmeston to protest Aqua park (Image: Nikita Singh)
Here are the voices of young people and their thoughts on the development:
Jakub Szczech (22): "This lake is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It's home to the endangered Starry Stonewort plant. How will a giant inflatable park and thousands of people help preserve that?"
Georgia Bosley (23): "It's appalling that the Council is choosing short-term profit over biodiversity. Cosmeston is not a commercial site."
Seren Jeremy (23): "There's already dangerous metal debris under the water. How can anyone say this is safe?"
Georgia Williams (21): "The park is already unsafe for swimming. Add inflatables and hundreds of people and it becomes a disaster waiting to happen."
Holly Beacon (22): "Why destroy such peaceful, integral habitat just to make money?"
Ffion Jeremy (23): "This will devastate the ecosystem. Cosmeston may never recover."
Environmental groups have also raised concerns about microplastic pollution from the inflatables and increased litter, with fears that noise and human activity will displace or endanger already declining species like moorhens, swans, and water voles.
But not everyone opposes the development. Some local residents argue the Aqua Park will offer healthy recreation and attract families.
In an email to this publication, Penarth father Conor Crowley wrote: "We've used the Aqua Park in Cardiff Bay for years and it's been great. This is being blown out of proportion by a few grumpy residents who think they own the park."
Former First Minister Alun Michael also weighed in, saying: "If we can't put up with the sound of children enjoying themselves, what sort of society are we living in? Let's see how the pilot goes."
Aqua park development at Cosmeston (Image: Nikita Singh)
Still, opponents say that while they're not against fun or aqua parks in general, Cosmeston's fragile environment makes it the wrong location.
Despite the outcry, the Vale of Glamorgan Council says safety tests have been conducted and lifeguards will be present. Construction continues, and the council maintains the development will support conservation and boost local leisure.
With almost, 6000 signatures on a petition and protests planned including the next one on 5th of July, which is the scheduled opening day for the aqua park, the battle to save Cosmeston Country Park is only escalating.
As equipment rolls in and opposition grows louder, it remains to be seen whether the council will press on -or pause to reconsider. Will local voices, protests, and ecological concerns be enough to halt the project? Or is the Aqua Park at Cosmeston now inevitable?