Llanishen Reservoir
Llanishen Reservoir | ||
---|---|---|
Primary inflows Rainfall | | |
Primary outflows | Drainage | |
Basin countries | United Kingdom | |
Built | 1886 | |
First flooded | 1886 | |
Surface area | 23.8 ha (59 acres) | |
Max. depth | 9 m (30 ft) | |
Water volume | 1,440,909 m3 (50,885,200 cu ft) | |
Surface elevation | 45 m (148 ft) | |
Frozen | Last frozen during Winter 09/10 |
Llanishen Reservoir (Welsh: Cronfa Ddŵr Llanisien) is a Victorian reservoir in north Cardiff, Wales. The reservoir is one of the reservoirs constructed as part of the Taff Fawr scheme for supplying water to Cardiff and was completed in 1886. It forms part of the Nant Fawr Corridor from the top of Roath Park to the countryside beyond Cyncoed.
The reservoir was used for water supply until the mid-1970s when it became redundant. It was then used for leisure activities and for 'topping up' the adjacent Lisvane Reservoir until it was drained completely.[1] After buying Hyder plc, its new owner Western Power Distribution (WPD), proposed to redevelop the reservoir site, but after a series of objections from national governing bodies, the County Council, local residents and both local and national politicians this was blocked. On 30 August 2013 WPD sold both Llanishen and Lisvane reservoirs to CELSA Group.[2]
In January 2016,
History
In 1881, Cardiff Corporation commissioned their Borough Engineer, John Avery Brandon Williams, to report on water resources within a reasonable distance of Cardiff. He presented his findings in May and August 1881, and concluded that reservoirs on the upper
The reservoir was built on flat land, surrounded on all sides by an earth-filled embankment with a clay core. There is no connection to local streams, such as the Nant Fawr, which runs around the edge of the reservoir, so it was initially filled by rainwater. However, 32 miles (51 km) of pipework, some 24 inches (610 mm) and some 29 inches (740 mm) in diameter, was installed to connect it to the reservoirs being built on the upper Taff Fawr, and once they were operational, Llanishen was fed with water from that source. It could then supply Cardiff with up to 12 million imperial gallons (55 Ml) of potable water per day.[8] The embankment is some 10 metres (33 ft) high and about 1,173 metres (3,848 ft) long.[citation needed] The external embankment face is grassed whilst the internal face has stone pitching over the upper part and concrete over the lower part. It has a maximum surface area of water of 23.8 hectares (59 acres) and a capacity of 1,440,909 cubic metres (50,885,200 cu ft).[9]
The reservoir is underlain by the St Maughan's Formation of the Lower Devonian age..
In common with all the assets of Cardiff Corporation Waterworks, the reservoir was transferred to
Welsh Assembly members were concerned that the takeover would mean jobs being transferred to Bristol and Cheshire, and at its effect "on consumers' interests, on the environment, and on the wider economy".[12][13]
WPD acquired the reservoir from Welsh Water in 2001 when Welsh Water was acquired by the not-for-profit organisation Glas Cymru:[14][15][16] the reservoir was sold to a WPD subsidiary, Hyder Industrial Group Ltd,[15] which was later renamed Western Power Distribution Investments Ltd.
The reservoir, which forms part of the Nant Fawr corridor,[17] has been redundant since the 1970s[18] and has only been used for leisure purposes and for 'topping up' the adjacent Lisvane Reservoir.[1]
Protection
The reservoir is listed as a
The banks of the reservoir are listed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the diversity of waxcap fungi discovered growing on them.[6][20] WPD appealed against this listing stating the Countryside Council for Wales's (CCW) decision was 'premature, arbitrary and unfair',[21] but in January 2007 a High Court Judge upheld the SSSI designation and said it was 'an important site'.[22]
The reservoir was also listed by Cadw in July 2009 as a building of special architectural or historic interest, despite an appeal from WPD against the listing.[23]
Leisure
Until spring 2010 Llanishen Sailing Centre operated at the reservoir offering
The centre has gained national recognition as both a 'grass-roots' training centre through the
The reservoir was also once popular with anglers (through the Cardiff Fly Fishing Club), picnickers, birdwatchers and walkers. Fishing at the reservoir stopped in 1998[29] and many of the other activities have been curtailed since 2004 due to the security fence that was constructed around the banks of the reservoir and (less securely) to the site boundary.[30]
Many people still walk between the 'inner' and 'outer' fences, due to a number of natural and man-made gaps in the outer fence and the natural hedges. Although the site is monitored, only some of the 'gaps' are resecured.
Proposed redevelopment
WPD have proposed redevelopment since 2002.[31] The latest proposal is for 300 new homes, surrounding a much reduced water area, and a connected 'wetland area', as well as a new sailing club and wildlife and education centre.[32][33] This proposal was recommended by the Planning Inspector,[18] but rejected by the Environment Minister.[34] WPD requested a judicial review of the decision and the minister withdrew her defence after considering WPD's submission.[35] The Court referred the decision back to the minister and a decision is awaited.
In March 2010, work started to drain the legal limit of 3 metres (9.8 ft) of water The drainage is opposed by opponents of the redevelopment, who claim that the reservoir will take 8 years to refill if totally emptied.
The public inquiry considered the requirement for drain-down and the ecological effects in detail. On the drain-down the Planning Inspector concluded that opponents' suspicions had been "fully rebutted".[18] And after considering a lot of evidence the Inspector concluded that CCW were content for development to proceed and that "significant ecological benefits would result from the development".[18]
In May 2010, WPD applied to the Environment Agency for a discharge licence in order to completely drain the reservoir, which was granted in July 2010.
In March 2011, WPD applied to Cardiff County Council for planning permission for a miniroundabout on Lisvane Road and listed building consent to alter the structure of the reservoir. Both of these were called in by the Welsh Government. During the appeal a number of changes to the original appeal were submitted by WPD and accepted by all parties.[46] The appeal was heard during the Summer of 2011.
On 25 April 2013, The Welsh Government refused the planning appeal from WPD which was for 324 homes.[46][47][48]
On 30 August 2013, CELSA Group bought both Llanishen and Lisvane reservoirs from their owner Western Power Distribution, to assure its Cardiff rod mill plant a consistent supply of water from Lisvane.[49]
In January 2016,
In July 2023, the reservoir was fully reopened to the public. In tandem with refilling of the reservoir, redevelopment works at the site included the construction of a two-storey visitor centre and restaurant, nature trails, and bird hides.[50][51]
References
- ^ a b Waldram, Hannah (20 July 2010). "Llanishen reservoir draining permitted". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
- BBC Wales. 3 September 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
- ^ a b "Victory at last! Battle to save Llanishen Reservoir finally won after Welsh Water acquires 999-year lease". WalesOnline. 18 January 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
- ^ Wheatley 1905, pp. 461–462.
- ^ Bowtell & Hill 2006, p. 31.
- ^ a b c "SSSI Citation for Llanishen and Lisvane Reservoir Embankments" (PDF). Countryside Council for Wales. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2010. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
- ^ Bowtell & Hill 2006, pp. 31–32.
- ^ "Cardiff Water Supply". Engineering Timelines (ICE). Retrieved 17 August 2020.
- ^ "Environment Agency – Permit to Drain Llanishen Reservoir" (PDF). Environment Agency. 19 July 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 February 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
- ^ a b c "Hyder plc – Company Profile, Information, History etc". Reference for Business. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
- ^ "Hyder directors approve WPD takeover". brandrepublic.com. 8 August 2000. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
- ^ a b "The Hyder takeover countdown". BBC. 14 August 2000. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
- ^ "Sue Essex concerned at uncertainty surrounding Hyder take-over". Welsh Assembly Government. 14 August 2000. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
- ^ "Glas Gymru Company Information". Welsh Water. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
- ^ a b "Dwr Cymru Company Report (Part 2)" (PDF). Dwr Cymru. 4 May 2001. p. 172.
- ^ "Glas acquires Welsh Water" (PDF). Glas Cymru. 11 May 2000. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
- ^ "Nant Fawr Corridor". Cardiff County Council. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
- ^ a b c d e "WAG Planning Inspectors Report" (PDF). Welsh Assembly Gofernment. p. 30, Paragraph 97. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 April 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
- ^ a b "WPD Planning Appeal". Welsh Assembly Government. 16 April 2009. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
- ^ "Fungi may halt luxury homes plan". BBC. 10 March 2005. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
- ^ "Reservoir legal challenge bid". BBC. 16 December 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
- ^ "Judge backs rare fungi protection". BBC. 26 January 2007. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
- ^ "Statutory listing of Llanishen Reservoir as a building of special architectural or historic interest". Welsh Assembly Government. 23 July 2009. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
- ^ a b "Sailing club's frustration as Llanishen reservoir levels fall". WalesOnline.co.uk. 15 March 2002. Retrieved 31 October 2010.
- ^ "Cardiff school children get OnBoard". Yachts and Yachting. 25 June 2009. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
- ^ "Sailing Centre lands top award". South Wales Echo. 10 September 2002. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
- ^ "List of RYA Volvo Champion Clubs". Royal Yachting Association. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
- ^ "Hannah's in the frame for 2012 Games". South Wales Echo. 21 October 2009. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
- ^ "Fishing History of Llanishen Reservoir". Reservoir Action Group. Archived from the original on 20 August 2008. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
- ^ "Gates closed at reservoir". WalesOnline.co.uk. 31 December 2004. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
- ^ "Action group prepares for reservoir battle". BBC. 29 November 2002. Retrieved 31 October 2010.
- ^ "Redevelopment Plan" (PDF). Llanishen Water. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 July 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
- ^ "Fight over Llanishen reservoir in Cardiff continues". BBC. 24 July 2010. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
- ^ "'Excellent' decision on reservoir". BBC. 20 April 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
- ^ "Successful challenge to Welsh Ministers' planning appeal decision". Welsh Assembly Government. 7 September 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
- ^ "Pipes in place to drain Llanishen Reservoir". WalesOnline.co.uk. 26 February 2010. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
- ^ "Environment Agency – Briefing Note". Environment Agency. 24 October 2010. Archived from the original on 2 February 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
- ^ "Company told Llanishen Reservoir claims are 'erroneous'". WalesOnline.co.uk. 25 March 2010. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
- ^ "Call to stop draining Llanishen Reservoir". BBC. 4 March 2010. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
- ^ Waldram, Hannah (20 July 2010). "Llanishen reservoir draining permitted". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
- ^ Waldram, Hannah (7 July 2010). "Cardiff MP shows safety risks of Llanishen reservoir drain down". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
- ^ "Second engineer has fears on draining Llanishen Reservoir". WalesOnline.co.uk. 8 July 2010. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
- ^ "House of Commons Main Chamber Debates 25 February 2010". UK Parliament. Archived from the original on 13 October 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2010.
- ^ "Peter Hain listens to concerns of reservoir campaigners". WalesOnline.co.uk. 5 March 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2010.
- ^ "An early glimpse of the leader he was destined to become". WalesOnline.co.uk. 27 September 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2010.
- ^ a b "WAG Inquiry Decision Letter" (PDF). Welsh Government. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
- ^ Owen, Cathy (25 April 2013). "Welsh Government throws out plans to build on Llanishen Reservoir". Walesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
- ^ "Llanishen reservoir: Homes plan appeal rejected by Cardiff Council". BBC. 25 April 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
- ^ "Steel Giant Celsa buys up Cardiff Reservoirs".
- ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ "Lisvane And Llanishen Reservoirs - Cardiff - About Us". Lisvane And Llanishen Reservoirs. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
Bibliography
- Bowtell, Harold D; Hill, Geoffrey (2006). Reservoir Builders of South Wales. Industrial Railway Society. ISBN 978-0-9540726-2-9.
- Wheatley, Joseph Larke (1905). History of the Cardiff Corporation Waterworks Undertaking. British History Online.
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