Sustainability Meets Wellness at Award-Winning Recreation Site
11 October 2024
Welsh Water’s Llanishen & Lisvane Reservoirs are two connected reservoirs located in Cardiff, Wales, that have been transformed into a hub for recreation, nature, and community well-being. We are pleased to announce that the project has received a RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) UK Award for ‘Land Management & Sustainable Development Project of the Year'.
Originally built in the 1860s as water supply reservoirs, this Victorian landmark covers 110 acres. Although the reservoirs were closed for many years, a community-led campaign and collaboration with Welsh Water have redeveloped and reopened the site for public use.
Today, the reservoirs offer a range of outdoor activities, including sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and open-water swimming, along with scenic walking paths. They also feature a sustainably designed visitor centre with a café offering beautiful views of the surrounding area.
The reservoirs have become a key destination for both locals and visitors, promoting health, well-being, and biodiversity through careful land management and conservation efforts.
Welsh Water CEO Peter Perry said: “Thanks to our business model, which is unique in the sector, the Lisvane & Llanishen Reservoirs redevelopment was designed with the wellbeing of people and nature at the heart of the scheme. The project has positively impacted the community by providing access to high quality green and blue spaces and creating a more diverse and inclusive environment with an accessible visitor centre and paths."
In addition to being a recreational space, the site plays a vital role in enhancing the local environment. Ongoing initiatives boost biodiversity through woodland management, volunteer programs, and eco-friendly design elements. Lisvane Reservoir is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), recognized for its birdlife and grassland fungi, while much of the surrounding area is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC).