Fairlands Valley set to host inflatable aqua park

An inflatable aqua park is due on the sailing lake at Fairlands Valley Park later this spring after councillors greenlit plans for a small shipping container complex.

At a meeting on Tuesday, April 2, Aqua Parcs secured permission for eight shipping containers on hardstand in the Stevenage sailing centre compound.

Developers had planned to cover the hardstand with artificial grass and containers with faux foliage.

But Stevenage Borough Council officers warned microplastics could enter the water – which is stocked with carp, barbel and perch fish.

Councillors agreed artificial plants must not be a part of the final designs.

Planning permission is not required for the inflatable itself.

"We have been working closely with the leisure team to provide new, fun and exciting experiences to the residents of Stevenage," the application reads.

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"The feature will be on the lake from spring until the end of summer and will attract families and children to use the facility in a safe and supervised environment, similar to the boating activities."

Developers wrote: "The centre and manmade lake were designed to provide on-lake activities, and it is not restricted in its use.

"There are many open water areas in the UK where wildlife and water activities such as canoeing, open water swimming, paddleboarding and aqua parks coexist."

Councillor Graham Lawrence (Con, Woodfield), who sits on the borough's planning committee, said: "It is a very picturesque park and it's something we all like to see."

He asked council staff: "Will officers or the council have some input into the final appearance to soften the hardness of the containers there?"

Authority staff confirmed final designs "will be done in conjunction with the green space development officer to make sure whatever is planted or put around the building is not going to harm the water environment".

Cllr Michael Downing (Lab, Symonds Green), committee chair, said: "When I first came to Stevenage in 1968, the first campaign I got involved in was to stop the development corporation putting a dual-carriageway down the length of Fairlands Valley."

He added: "I would not support anything which I thought was doing damage to something I was involved in helping to keep for the people of Stevenage.

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"I personally am satisfied what we have before us does not do that."

Seven containers will be 2.4 metres in height with flat roofs – for storage including wetsuit storage, first aid, a staff room and a reception.

An eighth container will feature a double-pitched roof up to 4m (13.1ft) in height, with changing facilities inside.