South Wales Central MS Andrew RT Davies has slammed the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Labour leadership for a “tone deaf” response to residents’ concerns about the proposed aqua park at Cosmeston Lakes.
The controversial project is set to go ahead, after it was approved by the Council’s Labour Cabinet.
Residents, campaigners and Conservative councillors have called for the scheme to be scrapped, citing its impacts on nature, and the site’s unsuitability for such a development.
In a post on social media, the Authority’s Labour Leader Cllr Lis Burnett hit out at campaigners, claiming “rubbish was being spread deliberately”, accusing them of “malicious tripe” and basing their campaigns on “disinformation”.
Cllr Burnett also criticised campaigners for sharing her post, already in the public domain, “without permission”.
Mr Davies said Cllr Burnett’s comments were remarkable, and highlighted a lack of understanding of residents’ genuine concerns.
He said the Council’s failure to listen to park users, and its decision to “lash out” demonstrated the Authority is out of touch.
A well-attended protest was held at the Park on Saturday to demonstrate residents’ strength of feeling against the plans.
Mr Davies said:
“Cllr Burnett’s remarks are tone deaf. Residents, campaigners and Conservative councillors are rightly concerned about the proposed aqua park, which is completely unsuitable for a quiet location like Cosmeston Lakes.
“It’s perfectly reasonable to raise concerns about nature and impacts on the environment and local community. There was no need for Cllr Burnett to lash out.
“She could have made her points constructively, but instead chose to make a series of allegations against those campaigning against the aqua park, and question their motives.
“It was also remarkable to see Cllr Burnett slam campaigners for sharing her statement on social media.
“She had already put it into the public domain, and the idea members of the voting public should have to ask an elected politician for permission before sharing it is laughable.
“That so many people gave up their time to attend the protest on Saturday shows the strength of feeling against the plans. This Labour Council is incredibly out of touch.”
ENDS
NOTE: screenshots of a Facebook post by Vale of Glamorgan Council Leader Lis Burnett can be found attache