Ebbw Vale Development Trust has acquired 3 lakes, formerly feeding water to the Corus steelworks. These lakes have the potential to be a new country park for local people and visitors to the area. This blog is a place to share how the project is developing and to encourage comment and suggestions
Background The Waun y Pound Ponds (Blue Lakes) are three lakes which form a part of the old feeder system to the Corus steel works, Ebbw Vale, South Wales. During 2007 Corus transferred ownership of the Blue Lakes to Ebbw Vale and District Development Trust - EVAD . The upper 2 ponds are currently used on an irregular basis by fishermen and it is understood that the lakes are well stocked. The third lake is currently more of a wildlife pond and contains the only known breeding site for Brown Hawker dragonfly in South Wales. Additionally, surrounding the lakes is a mosaic of important habitats- rich grassland, wet flushes, purple moor grass, rush pasture and dry heath. The site supports brown hare, lapwing, and skylark.
Need The Blue Lakes form an important green space between Ebbw Vale & Tredegar and have the potential to be a valuable local resource for recreational activity such as walking, bird watching and angling. If combined with the adjacent Aneurin Bevan Memorial Stones, Sirhowy Woodlands and Sirhowy Valley Walk (from the stones to Newport) it could become an important tourist destination.
Proposal
Ebbw Vale and District Development Trust have appointed Steve Cranston Associates to establish the business case for bringing the project forward. Steve will be working with architect Geoff Cheason and Gareth Kiddie to prepare a business plan and outline design drawings for the site. This commenced in March 08 and began with talking to key stakeholders in the area during this period. An interim report will be produced by Summer - leading to funding bids that will be submitted by August/September.
