@richardcowie

LISVANE AND RESERVOIRS — BRINGING ’S ICONIC RESERVOIRS Back to Life & Llanishen Lisvane

Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs hold a special place in the hearts of the people THE VISITOR HUB of Cardiff. Lisvane reservoir is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for overwintering birds; and the embankments of both reservoirs are At the northern end of the site, we have plans for a visitor hub which will offer spectacular views across both reservoirs. designated SSSI for waxcap fungi. Much of the reservoir grassland and scrub As the main hub of activity for the site, the two-storey woodland outside the SSSI is designated as a Site of Importance for Nature building will feature: Conservation (SINC). Since we took on this iconic site in 2016, we have been working on a once in a lifetime restoration project to restore them to their • Changing rooms and showers for water sport activities former glory. Whilst understanding the ecological importance of the site, we • Meeting and training rooms available to local groups also recognise the site’s potential to create a hub for recreation, health and • Café with panoramic views over the reservoirs wellbeing – and provide an area in our vibrant capital where people can reconnect with water and our beautiful environment. ACCESS AND PARKING Our proposals therefore aim to maximise public access whilst protecting and enhancing the ecology of the site. We will be making the site as accessible as possible for walkers, cyclists and those using public transport. They have been developed in consultation with key stakeholders and using feedback New access points will be created around the site to received from the local . Read on to find out more about our plans and how connect to local communities and public rights of way. you can get involved. Parking will also be available at the visitor hub for WHAT IS PLANNED FOR THE SITE? people choosing to arrive by car. The access road from Lisvane Rd will be widened to enable two way flow of traffic and incorporate a designated cycle lane. The aim is to provide a first class visitor experience which people can come and enjoy while learning about the ecology, water journey and heritage of the reservoirs. The site would serve multiple purposes which would include recreational watersports, outdoor activities and a visitor hub. PROTECTING AND ENHANCING THE ECOLOGY

• Circular paths around the reservoirs • Sailing & sailability We take our responsibility for safeguarding the environment • A nature trail with interpretation to highlight • Windsurfing for future generations very seriously. Since we took on the reservoirs, we have been very aware of the precious ecological features of interest • Canoeing – and historical – value of the site and have worked closely • Bird hides • Kayaking with Natural Resources , and other specialists • Conservation areas • Paddle boarding EDUCATION in restoring the reservoirs and developing our future plans. • Learning zone with a Welsh round house • Electric picnic boats TO SAFEGUARD THE UNIQUE ECOLOGY OF We recognise the huge potential the site has to offer for THE SITE OUR PROPOSALS INCLUDE: informal and formal learning and our plans include: LISVANE & • carefully designed paths to guide visitors around the site • On-site rangers to deliver activities for visitors, • a Winter Conservation Zone on Lisvane reservoir to MASTERPLAN schoolchildren and corporate groups protect overwintering birds • A Learning zone with Welsh round house • Floating islands on Lisvane to create a bird refuge • Development of learning materials to complement curriculum objectives • Bird hides on Lisvane embankment LISVANE ROAD 10 FLOATING ISLANDS • Work experience and skills development & training • Conservation Zone in Gwern-y-Bendy Woods

LLANISHEN placement opportunities STATION 1 A range of studies have been carried out including 10 2 • Water sports tuition & courses ecology, noise and archaeology. These studies and their 4 LISVANE findings will form part of the information we will submit 3 HEALTH AND WELLBEING as part of the pre-planning application. 4

C Our Enabling Natural Resources and Well-being (ENRaW) 5 2 VISITOR HUB BLACK OAK ROAD BIRD HIDES project has been developed through an innovative partnership and is funded by . This will see us working 1 Access Road & Cycle Path with the Reservoir Action Group, & Cardiff & 2 Visitor Hub & Car Park 3 Slipway Vale University Health Board and a range of organisations 6 LLANISHEN 4 Water access Pontoon to offer activities to benefit people’s own health, while also 5 Picnic Area helping enhance the site’s biodiversity. The project will 6 Gwerny-Bendy-wood conservation site 7 Learning Zone with Welsh Roundhouse enable the creation of: 8 Recreation Zone 9 View Point • circular paths, a Welsh round house and 10 Floating Islands WATERSPORTS 9 a wheelchair friendly bird hide Bird Hide

CYNCOED ROAD A B Lisvane Winter Conservation Zone Gates Vehicle Entrance • a Friends group to work with us to help care for the site

TOWY RDTOWY GATE Train Station • a community heritage project to collect memories 7 8 Cycle Track Footpaths for the signage and interpretation scheme

RHYD-Y-PENAU RD PEDESTRIAN ENTRANCES A Towy Road Gate • social prescribing opportunities working with B Rhyd Y Penau Gate the healthcare sector @richardcowie C Black Oak Gate

7 WELSH ROUNDHOUSE Get involved...

Our plan is to submit our planning application for the site to in September. But before we do this, we want to give you the chance to have your say on our proposals.

Given the current COVID-19 restriction and our duty to protect our customers and colleagues, we are not able to hold public information events to outline our plans. However, we are keen to get your feedback and have in place a few ways you can do this. These are:

• Completing the feedback form included with this newsletter and returning it to us in the freepost envelope provided • Visiting our website where there is more information on our plans and also a feedback form to complete www.dwrcymru.com/lisvaneandllanishen • Visit Ing our virtual consultation room where you can view information on our plans and also complete a feedback form • Email feedback to: [email protected] • Calling our enquiry line: 01443 452308

Please note that we must receive all feedback by Monday, August 17th 2020.

And finally…… Did you know that we are creating a Friends Group for the site to help deliver our vision of creating an urban hub for health & wellbeing and to help prepare the site for public opening?

If you’d like to find out more or to register then please visit: www.dwrcymru.com/volunteer-visitorattractions

— Site Closure reminder Over recent weeks we have unfortunately been dealing with cases of trespassing and anti-social behaviour on the site, which has included people attempting to swim in the reservoirs. We would just like to remind people that the site does remain closed for safety reasons and we would ask that if anyone notices anything like this on the site that they let us know.