(Photo by Jeff Mowatt, courtesy of Geograph Britain and Ireland)
Cannop Ponds is important to the Forest of Dean, its peaceful beauty bringing pleasure to both local residents and to visitors from around the world. It is simply not true, as some have said, that the Forest of Dean Green Party are seeking the removal of the dams at Cannop Ponds. We appreciate that Cannop Ponds is a much-loved beauty spot and industrial heritage site, bringing enjoyment to many, including local fishermen.
We support Forestry England’s moral commitment to manage the risk of flooding to Parkend, Whitecroft and Lydney. We hope that a solution can be found that is acceptable widely to residents in the Forest of Dean while yet protecting downstream communities from a possible future event of muddy water flooding their homes and businesses. We await the public consultation in December 2022 that Forest England have promised when they will share the results of their information gathering.
The engineers report on the ponds made no mention of flooding or flood risk. The FE website https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/the-future-cannop-ponds-frequently-asked-questions?fbclid=IwAR1vWuovgOYdIAffV8JnO2uteVd2SlNk55cQkLocYauAtvaYJgoPVbK27MU#text-162561
does mention a flood risk report "In late 2021, a new flood study was completed." but provide no link to it or quotes from it, so has anyone seen this report? and if so, what does it say? Currently there is no proven flood risk.