Llantwit Major beach becomes designated bathing location
Shared Regulatory Services (SRS) acting on behalf of the Vale of Glamorgan Council has made a successful application to Welsh Government to designate Cwm Col-Huw Beach in Llantwit Major as a bathing water location.
SRS carries out work in relation to water, air and land quality for Cardiff, Bridgend and the Vale local authority areas, and is responsible for environmental health, trading standards and licensing functions.
Officers from SRS and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) identified Col-Huw Beach as a popular destination for beach users, including surfers and families.
Between May and September 2021, Officers from SRS collaborated with Llantwit Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, Blue Bobbies Swim Club, Llantwit Major Town Council and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) to undertake surveys of beach users to evidence the beach’s popularity to Welsh Government.
The beach will now be included in Natural Resources Wales’ (NRW) water monitoring programme and the water will be routinely sampled and tested throughout the bathing water season which runs from May 15 to September 30 each year. The results of these samples will be posted on their website.
As a result of the successful application, Cwm-Col-Huw will now be added to the Vale’s designated bathing waters alongside the Cold Knap, Jackson’s Bay, Whitmore Bay and Southerndown, all of which are routinely monitored by NRW.
Miles Punter, Director of Environment and Housing, said: “It’s great to see Cwm Col-Huw beach recognised as a popular bathing destination in the Vale.
“I hope that the newly-designated bathing water will attract many more visitors to enjoy the beach’s astounding landscape and wildlife as we head towards summer, which in turn will benefit the community and many local businesses in Llantwit Major.”
As well as the designation of Col-Huw Beach, a successful application was made by a member of the public to designate Penarth Beach which, along with Col-Huw, will form part of NRW’s water monitoring programme.
The Council is always looking at opportunities to establish more bathing waters where appropriate and we welcome input from our residents in identifying such beaches.
This can be done by contacting Shared Regulatory Services.
Members of the public are also welcome to submit applications to Welsh Government regarding bathing water designations.