Caversham Lakes water park operators are in hot water over establishing activities on the lake without permission but owners are fighting back against enforcement action.

Activities at Caversham Lakes were established in August 2020, with operators of the site providing an aquatic park, paddleboarding, swimming opportunities, a family beach and even a private island.

But work on all of this was done before the operators Cosmonaut Leisure had received planning permission.

Cosmonaut had tried to get permission for its activities by submitting retrospective planning applications to the council, but both of these were refused in October 2021 and October 2022.

Now, the company is currently facing enforcement action from South Oxfordshire District Council, the relevant planning authority.

The authority’s planning department want unauthorised activities on the lake to end and any structures, hard and soft landscaping work to be removed with the lake being returned to its condition prior to 2020.

However, the company has launched an appeal to the government’s planning inspectorate regarding the council’s enforcement bid.

Planning agents for Cosmonaut Leisure argue that planning permission should be granted for all of the works that are mentioned in the enforcement notice.

It has also appealed because operators feel the steps needed to comply with  the requirements of the notice are excessive, stating that lesser steps would overcome the council’s objections.

Finally, Cosmonaut’s agents have argued that the time given to comply with the requirements of the notice is too short.

The notice effectively requires the company to restore the lake to its original condition by January 12, 2024.

The latest appeal relates to enforcement notice SE20/289(B), requirements of which include demolishing all structures on the site and reinstating the land by removing hard and soft landscaping.

Sam Wild, a neighbour of Caversham and occasional lake user has already objected to the appeal.

He said: “I objected to the lakes primarily because of the negative impact they are having on the local natural environment – including a significant traffic increase to the area.

“I was also shocked to discover that the lakes have been commercially exploited without planning permission – with some VIP tickets costing members of the public £30.

“It is alarming to think that natural space can be so ruthlessly, and illegally, privatised in this way.

“As the planet warms and people are naturally drawn to wild swimming spaces it makes sense that Caversham Lake should be opened up for public access, but surely it needs to be eco-friendly, safe and affordable.”

Caversham Lakes have been contacted for further comment on the appeal bid.

South Oxfordshire Council also has an additional enforcement notice open against Caversham Lakes two enforcement notices in relation to the site. The earlier enforcement notice, SE20/289(A) requires Cosmonaut Leisure to end watersports activities on the site and remove all portable buildings, such as the office, reception, toilet and shower facilities.

Caversham Lakes has been given a compliance date for this notice of August 12 on this notice.

Both enforcement notices can be viewed using references SE20/289(A) and SE20/289(B) on South Oxfordshire Council’s website.

You can view the appeal using reference PP/Q3115/C/23/3320181 on the planning inspectorate website.