DOING away with Cannop Ponds would be “absolutely devastating” for the Forest of Dean, according to councillors.

Forestry England identified significant engineering issues with the 200-year-old dams at the site following an inspection earlier this year.

The dams are not in any imminent danger of collapse but ongoing deterioration and their inability to safely cope with a one in a 150-year storm event is a serious concern.

Because of this, Forestry England is gathering information in order to decide the future of Cannop Ponds.

The authority caused uproar earlier this year by suggesting it may have to drain the near 200-year-old reservoirs to prevent flooding downstream.

But Forest of Dean District Council leaders have now sent a clear message to the authority calling on it to repair the dams and retain the ponds in their current state.

Forest of Dean District Councillor Jamie Elsmore (Progressive Independents, Berry Hill), who put forward a motion calling on the council to set out its position that the ponds should be retained, said he was delighted it received unanimous support.

“The leaders of the campaign have done an excellent job in getting public support. It was a positive outcome and it is good to see MP Mark Harper has got behind us and endorsed what we’re trying to achieve,” he said.

“Hopefully, it will send a clear message to deputy surveyor Kevin Stannard as to what direction Forestry England will take next. At the end of the day, people come from far and wide to view the Forest.

“There are parking meters in all the beautiful sites and it is a bit of a cash cow for Forestry England. Surely some of that money should go back into the area people are paying to see?

“You’ve seen the beautiful pictures of the ponds over the many seasons and to lose that would be a travesty. I’m very disappointed that Forestry England and Kevin Stannard would be prepared to look at alternative options rather than safeguarding what we already have.

“What we already have is priceless and to lose that would be absolutely devastating for the area.”

Forestry England says it is still collecting data and no decision has been made.

A Forestry England spokesperson said: “Inspections of the 200-year old dams at Cannop Ponds have identified significant engineering issues that need to be addressed.  

“While the dams are not in any imminent danger of collapse, ongoing deterioration, and their inability to safely cope with a one in a 150-year storm event is a serious concern.

“Forestry England are continuing to gather information through surveys, modelling and stakeholder engagement to better understand, and shape, the range of options – from replace to remove the dams – so that a decision on the way forward can be taken in early 2023. 

“That decision will be influenced by the need to improve storm water attenuation in the valley to reduce the risk and severity of flooding; the need to protect wildlife and enhance the biodiversity values of the Forest; and our desire to improve the connections between people and the wildlife and heritage of the Cannop valley.

“The Forest of Dean District Council are one of our stakeholders and we will continue to engage with them as the project progresses.”