Controversial plans to bring a water park attraction to Cosmeston Lakes have been given the go-ahead by councillors.
According to the operators, it will create around 40 local jobs.
Vale of Glamorgan Council says the attraction will open in time for the school summer holidays on Saturday 5th July - two months later than originally planned - and operate on a pilot basis until mid-September.
Aqua Park Cardiff founder Connor James said: "We're thrilled to bring Aqua Park Cardiff to Cosmeston Lakes by partnering with The Vale of Glamorgan Council."
"The country park is a fantastic venue for our exciting watersport experience, perfect for supervised adventure and family fun. With an exciting new course of obstacles, we can't wait to welcome visitors to our incredible new home."
"We are also really excited to be playing our part in giving people and families much-needed access to active outdoor experience, in a controlled and supervised environment to help boost their physical and mental well-being."
"With household budgets likely to be limited again this year, we've got an amazing offer on our Aqua Park season passes, which means people can book up to twice a week for the whole summer giving families an easy and cost-effective way to keep the kids active throughout a staycation summer."
But local resident Rachel Morgan, who started a change.org petition in March, attracting 3,958 signatures, said the water park "posed a significant and direct threat" to local wildlife.
She added: "For years, Cosmeston Lakes has been officially deemed unsafe for swimming, raising serious concerns over the safety measures underpinning the Aqua Park’s proposal."
"The detrimental effect on the wildlife, the damaging impact on local residents, and the negligence of public safety issues all contribute to the pressing need to contest the installation of the Aqua Park in our beloved sanctuary."
"The fate of our sanctuary, our home, and our community is at stake. We must ensure the diverse wildlife and its ecosystem stay preserved for future generations to appreciate, learn, and protect for years to come. It is time for us to voice our concerns and appeal to the relevant authorities to halt this project in its tracks."
Vale of Glamorgan Council says water testing has been carried out as part of work with other agencies to ensure the lake is safe for Aqua Park visitors.
A council spokesperson said: "The eastern lake at Cosmeston has previously been used for a variety of activities – including boating, canoeing and paddleboarding – and the Aqua Park will have on-site security to reduce any opportunities for anti-social behaviour – including unauthorised camping, lighting of fires, vandalism, fly-tipping."
Lifeguards will also be on duty throughout the day, both in and out of the water.
Last month, councillors were told that Aqua Park's plans to move to Cosmeston - described as temporary and at 'very short notice' - presented an opportunity to generate income for improving the park's facilities.
The attraction will include inflatable obstacle course, including climbing walls, trampolines and giant slides.
Speaking on Bro Radio's "Ask Your" programme last week, council leader Lis Burnett denied the local authority was "putting profits first".
She said, "Income is always welcome, but this is actually a lot more than that. It's about improving what's available to local people."
"When we did the 'Let's Talk About Life in the Vale' survey, people made it very clear that they needed a choice in terms of leisure and recreation and that goes for what we call 'blue space'...as well as 'green space'."
"When we had the opportunity to try something out, just for one season, we felt it would be something to give us information that we needed so we could make future decisions from an informed perspective."
"But that said...we would not move ahead without due diligence...where this would be sited is away from the conservation area, it's away from the area where water voles are being reintroduced. We would not do anything that would harm any sort of wildlife."
But Aqua Park's plans have also been criticised by the leader of the Welsh Conservative group on Vale of Glamorgan Council, in the wake of the decision to withdraw from the Green Park flag scheme.
Cllr George Carroll told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) in April: "These plans are completely unsuitable for this location and have no regard for the natural environment or unique qualities that make Cosmeston so special."
“This out-of-touch Labour council should be protecting green spaces like Cosmeston, not subjecting them to overdevelopment.”
Tickets will go on sale next Monday with work on setting up the new Aqua Park at the eastern lake due to start on Monday 9th June.
Deputy council leader Bronwen Brooks said: "We are delighted to welcome the Aqua Park to the eastern lake at Cosmeston for the summer season this year."
"The Aqua Park will be another great addition to the already fantastic offer at Cosmeston Country Park as the council continues to promote sustainable tourism and leisure activities in the area."
"Consultation with residents through the council's placemaking work has shown there is appetite locally - particularly among young people - for more varied leisure activities, and the re-introduction of water-based activities at Cosmeston will help us to ensure that our country parks are for everyone."
"Trying new things is at the heart of what we do as an ambitious council, and this pilot could also enable further income opportunities for our country parks – especially in supporting the re-wilding and conservation work already underway at Cosmeston."
As part of the pilot, the council will carry out an evaluation of the water park at the end of September and decide if it will go out to tender for someone to operate an attraction on site for the next season.
Additional reporting by Ted Peskett - Local Democracy Reporter for Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan
Barry’s Own Daniel White to Walk 190 Miles Back to Where His Round Table Story Began
1,300 people attend Flying Start Family Fun Day
Dispersal order put in place to tackle anti-social behaviour
Interim Chief Executive Appointed at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Cardiff Theatre Marks 50 Years of Service for Long‑Standing Staff Member
Council to review use of GP letters as evidence for disability claims
Plans have been put in place to redevelop a complex with more than 20 flats
Vale Council Reaccredited Under White Ribbon Scheme as Part of Ongoing Work to Tackle Violence Against Women and Girls
Two Vale Restaurants Among Those Set to Close as Whitbread Shuts Brewers Fayre and Beefeater Chains
Vale Council Issues Safety Warning After Gas Canisters Found in Household Recycling
Cogan Primary School Praised for its Inclusive Culture and Strong Leadership in Estyn Inspection
Senedd Members Call to Tackle Substance Use Stigma
Calls for Welsh Government to Match England's Pub Business Rates Cut
Caerdydd Penarth MS backs campaign to make rail station more accessible
Barry Waterfront Regeneration Project Moves a Step Closer
Age Cymru Responds to VAT cut to household electricity bills
Old Post Office in St Brides Major could be converted into a new house and set of flats
Kanishka Narayan retains AI Minister role as Burnham Signals Early Priorities
Victorian Building on Broad Street could become a new daycare centre
