The YMCA says the decision will deprive young people of wonderful experiences
Villagers say they are thrilled after its new parish council voted to terminate a licence allowing watersports on a local lake after almost two years of protests. On Wednesday, July 26, Balderton Parish Council voted to terminate the YMCA's licence to use Balderton Lake for kayaking and canoeing.
"Disturbances by recreationalists could have negatively impacted the aquatic ecosystem and biodiversity there. It’s such a beautiful place with so many species of animals and plants living together in a perfect symbiotic balance and it’s hard to imagine the scale of the unsettlement water sports would’ve caused.
"Any disruption to this space would have brought along noise and busyness to what I believe should remain a haven for mindfulness, wellness and a celebration of the natural world." A spokesperson for Balderton Parish Council said: "The council had previously granted the YMCA a licence to kayak on Balderton Lake. After much deliberation a decision was made to terminate the licence, giving the YMCA 12 months’ notice as per a clause in the licence."
"We will give the YMCA all the help we can to provide affordable youth services in the district, levelling up our communities and encourage them to approach the existing underused watersport facilities already in our area which are safe and have been in existence for years."