Plans to bring the water sport wakeboarding to Cardiff Bay could get the go ahead next month despite objections by local residents.
Cardiff Bay Wakeboarding is proposing to install a motorised cable tow to pull wakeboarders around the course at 32kph seven days a week from 9am until 8pm.
But some local residents are concerned about noise and the threat to wildlife and birds, and Cardiff Council has received 41 objections. Gareth Stevenson, 42, who runs Cardiff Bay Wakeboarding says there will not be significant noise and there’s no proof of any danger to wildlife or birds.
“I really want to bring wakeboarding to Cardiff,” said Mr Stevenson from Rhiwbina. “It’s a fantastic outdoor sport for all ages, it’s healthy and it would be the only site in South Wales.”
Resident Alun Metcalf, who lives in Atlantic Wharf, said residents are opposing the long opening times during the winter months, the damage to wildlife and the ugly pylon infrastructure.
He said: “Atlantic Wharf is a mature residential area totally unsuited to this sort of development and if it is built the residents, the businesses and the wildlife will all suffer.”
Cardiff City Council’s Environmental Health department raised concerns about noise and a survey carried out on a quiet Sunday in winter found noise levels would be “significantly below” existing background noise.
Paul Seligman of Glamorgan Bird Club said Cardiff Council must be made aware of the species of birds in the Bay.
He said: “The council has paid insufficient attention to the effects on nesting birds such as the Mute Swan and Great Crested Grebe.”
Gareth Stevenson claims there’s no proof of any impact on wildlife.
The application will be considered at a planning meeting at Cardiff Council on April 9. There are 41 objections, mostly from residents in Henke Court and City Wharf.
