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THE CYNON VALLEY BEACON

The Cynon Valley's only free* newspaper

SUMMER 2007

* free: not bound; at liberty; without, or not necessitating, payment; bold; indecent (delete as applicable)

HOW GREEN IS OUR VALLEY?

These photographs were taken in the Dare Valley Country Park. The main picture was taken from the foot of the cascade, and shows the extent to which the houses now overshadow the lower lake. The smaller pictures show how former footpaths have been fenced off and marked as “Private Property”.

As the smaller photos show, the former footpath along the north bank of the River Dare, emerging near St John the Baptist High School, is now fenced off and signposted as “Private Property.” Another former footpath which crosses the Dare just upstream from the Cwm Nurseries has also been signposted as “Private Property”.

These pictures clearly show that some of those 480 acres have been lost under new housing development. We cannot help but wonder what will happen to the land that is now fenced off?
It is a scene that is being repeated throughout our valley.

As Landare has expanded in recent years, it seems that the lower lake of the Country Park has been transformed from a valuable leisure facility and wildlife habitat into a private garden for wealthy families. In its own publicity leaflet, obtained from the Vistors’ Centre, the Country Park is described as “480 acres of ... green pasture land once again - a hidden wealth of wildlife.“

Main photo: the lower lake of the Dare Valley Country Park, overshadowed by new houses. Above right: Fence just downstream of the lower lake. Below right: Handpainted sign near bridge over River Dare.

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