Council considers future opportunities for country parks 

Frequently Asked Questions  

• What opportunities are you exploring at the Country Park? 
  We will look at a range of leisure and visitor activities that could be suitable for a Country Park. This includes options for both the land and the water. Any ideas must respect the site's status as a Country Park and protect its important environmental and ecological features. 

   

  No decisions will be made until a further report is taken to Cabinet for consideration. 

• Why have you gone back on your original decision to welcome Aqua Parks to Cosmeston?
  We gave permission for the eastern lake to be used for an eightweek trial of an outdoor water park last summer. Before the trial began, we made it clear that its impact would be reviewed afterwards. We are now continuing that review by completing a baseline ecological assessment and by considering a range of leisure and visitor activities that could be suitable for a Country Park.

• What will happen next?

   Alongside reviewing possible opportunities, the Council or its appointed specialists will carry out a full year of breeding bird surveys in 2026, with no potential disturbances from leisure activities on the land or water. We will also complete another full year of waterquality testing. 

   

  After this work, the Council and Natural Resources Wales will agree a baseline survey, monitoring plan, and a mitigation and enhancement strategy. This will all be completed well before any future leisure facilities could be installed or operated at the park. 

• Why was your assessment carried out by a different ecologist?
   Acer, a company appointed by the operator Aquaparks Ltd, completed the first ecological assessment. The Council then appointed Thomson to independently review Acer’s data and provide an impartial assessment.

• Where are the results of the water quality assessments?
  These tests were carried out throughout summer 2025.

• Were tests carried out to check for killer shrimp in the lake?
  The Vale of Glamorgan Council has worked closely with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) for many years, following the site's designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This includes regular testing to monitor and manage the risk of invasive species. 

   

  Zebra mussels were confirmed in the lake over 10 years ago, likely introduced through crosscontamination from other waterbodies or through natural causes such as wildfowl.

   

  In August, further testing detected possible DNA from an invasive crustacean (Dikerogammarus villosus), which can cause ecological harm in freshwater environments. Followup tests later in the year were inconclusive.

   

  Both physical sampling and eDNA testing will continue to confirm whether the species is present or if the earlier result was a false positive.

   

  So far, no physical examples of this crustacean have been found at Cosmeston, despite extensive sampling. The only indication of its possible presence is the initial DNA result. Physical and eDNA sampling will continue in the coming months. 

• Why does Aquapark still have storage containers and other structures at Cosmeston?
   As part of the 2025 operating licence, Aquapark was permitted to keep storage on site until the end of the financial year, March 2026. The Council has asked that the containers be removed as soon as reasonably possible.

• Where did the visitor numbers and satisfaction data come from?
   The booking system includes a builtin tool that gathers visitor feedback. It provides a Guest Experience (GX) Score and other feedback metrics. After their visit, guests receive an automated email inviting them to comment on their experience.

• Will visitors be consulted before any future leisure opportunities are agreed? 
   Yes. Before any longterm proposals are agreed or put out to tender, further engagement with visitors will take place. 

Statement: Council considers future opportunities for country parks 

Cabinet Report: Review of Pilot Leisure Activity at Cosmeston Country Park

• Background Papers:

  NRW Assent form

  ACER Ecology Report

  Bird Survey Report
  

  Thomson Ecology Review