The project is fully supported by Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, who right from the outset agreed to provide the land for the new centre at a peppercorn rent, and by United Utilities (UU) who manage the site on a daily basis. The new water sports centre will significantly improve facilities at this important reservoir site, which is one of the Company’s four main sites for providing a recreational resource for use in the local community. However, we must not overlook that the primary purpose of the reservoir is for the supply of public drinking water and we have worked closely with Welsh Water and UU to ensure our project can operate alongside this important purpose.
Richard Curtis, Welsh Water’s Company Secretary says: ‘This project is a great example of how business and community user groups can combine to deliver a high quality new facility for water sports users in South Wales and beyond, and it reflects how, in Welsh Water, we like to work collaboratively to deliver added value to our customers and the communities we serve.’
A large part of Llandegfedd Reservoir is also of high conservation value and, in part, a site of special scientific interest. Responsibility for striking the balance between the interests of public water supply, protecting the environment and public health and safety and promoting wider access and recreation at the reservoir falls to UU’s Site Controller, Richard Poole: ‘The new centre will greatly increase facilities available to water users at Llandegfedd and through our zoned site management plan we are confident the centre can operate safely alongside casual visitors to the site who come to walk or observe the variety of species and habitats we have here.’