An unauthorised water sports centre in Caversham has been refused planning permission due to concerns about its impact on the environment, wildlife and biodiversity.

Caversham Lakes, North Lake, Henley Road, was opened by Cosmonaut Leisure last year without planning permission.

A retrospective planning application for the change of use of the site was submitted in September 2020, a month after the venue opened.

READ MORE: New plans unveiled to turn Reading Golf Club into hundreds of homes

But South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) has now refused planning permission.

Adrian Duffield, SODC’s head of planning, said: “The full extent of the ecological impacts arising from the land clearance and other works associated with the implementation of the unauthorised change of use have not been adequately assessed within the supporting ecological appraisal.

“The district council also considers that the development of the site since the submission of the application is likely to have resulted in further unquantified impacts upon important habitats and the integrity of the local wildlife site.

“The district council considers that the proposed development is likely to result in a net loss for biodiversity and the harm identified by the council would not be outweighed by public benefits.”

Despite the refusal, the developer – Cosmonaut Leisure – plans to stay and submit further applications and has six months to appeal the decision.

The developer can appeal the decision, which would mean the council would have to wait until a decision is made before taking enforcement action.

The site, which has paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing and open water swimming, is  just over the border from Reading.

Hundreds of letters had been sent in either supporting or opposing the plans.

Residents in Reading had complained about loud music and fireworks at the site, although the applicant’s planning consultant said no fireworks have been let off from the site.

READ MORE: Loud music and fireworks at unauthorised water sport park sparks concerns

Planning consultant Andy Meader had already told officers that Cosmonaut Leisure planned to stay regardless of the decision.

The AM2 Planning director said: “The applicant has every intention to continue the operation of the site in a manner that receives support from the planning department at the council.

“I therefore hope you will be able to continue discussions with us to enable a solution to be found, whether through the current planning application or future ones, to enable this much supported community facility to continue.”

Reading Borough Council (RBC), which manages Henley Road, submitted several letters of objection to the application, with concerns including:

The lack of dedicated pedestrian paths between Henley Road and the site

The impact of increased traffic, with 500 visitors recorded on one day during the 2020 August bank holiday

The lack of street lighting