LOCALS were divided in their initial response to plans from Forestry England to review the future of Cannop Ponds due to concerns about the condition of its ageing dams.

Forestry England (FE) announced last Thursday (July 7) that options for the future of the ponds - which were created in the early 1800s to supply water for industry - were being explored, with “significant engineering issues” having been identified in recent inspections.

A statement says the options are to repair the dams or remove them completely, to return the valley “back to its natural form”.

FE says that the option to restore the Cannop valley is being considered as the “re-naturalising” of the site could create “exciting opportunities to do better for our flora and fauna”.

The statement says inspections have highlighted the need to “make provision for managing future increased water volumes” from more intense storms and increasing flood events caused by climate change.

It says that in the “unlikely event” that either dam wall was breached, communities downstream including Parkend, Whitecroft and Lydney would be vulnerable to flooding.

It added that while residents should not be concerned about the dams failing at present, it is a possibility in the future, so action must be taken.

The organisation says removing the reservoirs “is not a decision to be taken lightly”, and it will now work with design engineering consultants to gather professional stakeholder input over the summer.

It will then engage with local residents to gather thoughts on how the future site could look and function, so that it “continues to be a place that connects residents and visitors to the forest both now and in the future.”

Kevin Stannard, Forestry England’s Deputy Surveyor for the Forest of Dean, said: “Our climate is changing, and we are already seeing changes in rainfall patterns that have led to increased storm flows on the Cannop Brook.

“Climate projections show that we can expect more winter rainfall, and more intense storms, which the ageing dams may not be able to cope with.

“While a breach is not envisaged imminently, it cannot be ruled out for the future, so doing nothing is not an option.

“We must explore possibilities to improve the Forest’s ability to withstand the extremes of our changing climate, whilst also improving the conditions for wildlife as we face up to the biodiversity crisis.”

FE says re-naturalising reservoirs can bring benefits to the river ecosystem and surrounding wildlife by restoring natural processes and improving habitats, including smaller ponds, reed beds, areas of wet grassland and wet woodland.

Many users were supportive of the plans in a post to Forestry England’s Facebook page last week, saying that restoring the valley to its natural state could be “a huge win for nature.”

One person commented: “We need to let go of our sentimental views on how nature should look, it’s in a pitiful state.

“We need to choose the future over the past for the sake of nature and future generations of children, or there will be nothing left for them.”

Another said: “Seems like an absolute no-brainer really doesn’t it considering everything we know, and the need to allow nature recovery. Get rid of the dams.”

But others were far less enthusiastic about the prospect of losing the reservoir, including the Yorkley and District Angling Club, who have leased the ponds for coarse fishing since 1958 and are looking to launch a campaign to save them.

In a statement posted to their Facebook page, Mark Lewis, Treasurer of the club, said he feels the reasons behind the plans are financial, and that FE is trying to “avoid its obligation” to repair the dams by removing them, “thus ending its current and all future liabilities”.

He said the club “strongly condemns” the proposals, which he claims would mean many species of fish, amphibians and insect larvae having to be relocated elsewhere, and that most waterbird species would not be present in the new habitats.

He added that the ponds are “iconic, historic beauty spots” that have a positive effect on people’s mental wellbeing, including anglers, birdwatchers, cyclists and walkers.

And many of the club’s supporters agreed, with one person commenting: “Absolutely disgraceful behaviour from Forestry England. Destroying an ecosystem to save them a few pounds in maintenance costs.”

Another said: “Surely this must be over turned and sense must prevail.”

Further information about the proposals from FE, including the history of the ponds and case studies on the re-naturalising of reservoirs elsewhere in Europe, can be found at www.forestryengland.uk/article/the-future-cannop-ponds.