THE Cotswold Water Park could be turned into a series of mini-Alton Towers in a bid to attract millions of tourists to the area.
Bosses at the already popular venue are drawing up a masterplan for its future and believe creating a family-based tourist attraction to rival anywhere else in the UK would be a major boost for the area.
Dennis Grant, chief executive of the Cotswold Water Park Society, explained: "We aren't looking for an Alton Towers in the middle of the Spine Road. Maybe three little Alton Towers that help manage the traffic."
The Cotswold Water Park Society, the charity responsible for improving the water park, is currently engaging with local residents to find out what they think should happen in the area.
Ideas already put forward include a conservation corridor running from Kemble to Lechlade, linking and safeguarding a number of significant nature reserves, constructing tourist accommodation on existing farmland, building an Olympic-sized rowing course and a national angling centre.
The attractions could mean the Cotswold Water Park, which is within two hours' drive for more than 20m UK residents, finally lives up to its name.
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"There's a demand for these things so why not build them here?" Mr Grant said.
"They are just concepts at the moment but there is nowhere in the country where someone has created what we are trying to create.
"The whole idea is to bring people and nature together."
In the last couple of years significant development has taken place at the western side of the water park and the consultation is focusing on plans for the eastern edge.
The ideas have already received a mixed welcome. Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown said there was huge potential.
"It could be enormously successful but there could be enormous pitfalls if we get it wrong," he warned.
"It is a potentially huge national asset and we need to cater for a wide range of people's interests. Some will be family, some will be watersports like sailing and jet-skiing.
"There is beginning to be a buzz about the water park. I have always been very excited about it and now at long last it is beginning to be recognised."
Tourist chiefs also welcomed the consultation. Chris Dee, tourism manager at the Cotswold Destination Management Organisation, said: "About a year ago there was some research done which showed that the Cotswolds wasn't particularly family-friendly.
"It was the kind of place where you would leave the kids behind. There is plenty of room to demonstrate the fact that we are family-friendly and this would be a very good way to do that."
Mike Stuart, chairman of South Cerney Parish Council, said he would not hold his breath for the scheme to become a reality.
"I have seen so many plans over the years that I will wait until I see the plans on paper," he said. "They have probably got the best management team there now they have ever had."
The water park consultation runs until March 7. To make comments go to www.waterpark.org.
The final plan will be drawn up by the end of May.
Posted by: Captain Sensible, Near Swindon on 9:21pm Thu 31 Jan 08
Maybe they could turn it into a theme park called 'Gravel world', with lots of fun packed gravel related rides and activities. On second thoughts, maybe not.
Maybe they could turn it into a theme park called 'Gravel world', with lots of fun packed gravel related rides and activities. On second thoughts, maybe not.
Millions of tourists.. thats just great. Another place of natural beauty to be trampled all over then. We love going to CWP just the way it is, leave it alone!
Millions of tourists.. thats just great. Another place of natural beauty to be trampled all over then. We love going to CWP just the way it is, leave it alone!
Posted by: angry monkey, Swindon on 10:46am Fri 1 Feb 08
[quote][bold]StFc[/bold] wrote:
Millions of tourists.. thats just great. Another place of natural beauty to be trampled all over then. We love going to CWP just the way it is, leave it alone![/quote] Natural beauty? Its a series of man made lakes that exist as a consequence of gravel and stone excavation!
Its as naturally beautiful as Swindon!
StFc wrote:
Millions of tourists.. thats just great. Another place of natural beauty to be trampled all over then. We love going to CWP just the way it is, leave it alone!
Natural beauty? Its a series of man made lakes that exist as a consequence of gravel and stone excavation!
Posted by: Grumpy, Swindon on 11:27am Fri 1 Feb 08
[quote][bold]m0bcg[/bold] wrote:
perhaps they could link all the lakes up and then link up to the river thames and maybe even the severn .
they could call it ASHTON BROADS [/quote] There's already a link between the Severn and the Thames, it's called the Severn and Thames Canal. For god's sake don't go there though, we've already had enough about canals lately!
m0bcg wrote:
perhaps they could link all the lakes up and then link up to the river thames and maybe even the severn .
they could call it ASHTON BROADS
There's already a link between the Severn and the Thames, it's called the Severn and Thames Canal. For god's sake don't go there though, we've already had enough about canals lately!
i think its a good idea.loads of different watersports,nature walks,and add some decent resturants and stuff and i reckon they could be onto a winner.if done right it could be something really great
i think its a good idea.loads of different watersports,nature walks,and add some decent resturants and stuff and i reckon they could be onto a winner.if done right it could be something really great
There is already far too much in-filling of housing and other amenities. If the cwp were developed further surely much of the wildlife would pack up their bags and leave?
There is already far too much in-filling of housing and other amenities. If the cwp were developed further surely much of the wildlife would pack up their bags and leave?
Posted by: Thelma & Louise, Penhill Swindon on 10:38am Sat 2 Feb 08
Well,
We hope they cater for families with disabled children. It would be great if there were rides for wheelchair users. If they cater for everyones needs then great. Many theme parks are accessible and cater for people with disabilities in the sense of access to cafe's and toilets etc. However, It is very rare that they do rides for wheelchair users. It is so frustrating when you are a familiy with three kids and you have one who is disabled and is a wheelchair user. Very rarely do the kids get to do things like go on rides in parks together.
Now in Swindon, we have reason to believe that Lydiard Park is going to install play equipment that caters for kids with disabilities. This is fantastic.
Well we will see what happens with the Cotswolds.
Thelms & Lou
Well,
We hope they cater for families with disabled children. It would be great if there were rides for wheelchair users. If they cater for everyones needs then great. Many theme parks are accessible and cater for people with disabilities in the sense of access to cafe's and toilets etc. However, It is very rare that they do rides for wheelchair users. It is so frustrating when you are a familiy with three kids and you have one who is disabled and is a wheelchair user. Very rarely do the kids get to do things like go on rides in parks together.
Now in Swindon, we have reason to believe that Lydiard Park is going to install play equipment that caters for kids with disabilities. This is fantastic.
Well we will see what happens with the Cotswolds.
Dennis Grant......
Chief Executive of the defunct Swindon Chamber of Commerce, now chief Exec of the water parks hmmmm.
It'll end in tears.
Leave it alone and keep your grubby little claws off.
Dennis Grant......
Chief Executive of the defunct Swindon Chamber of Commerce, now chief Exec of the water parks hmmmm.
It'll end in tears.
Leave it alone and keep your grubby little claws off.
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