Adventure sports plan near Ceibwr Bay angers nature lovers

Plans for an adventure sports hub have angered wildlife campaigners, who claim it will bring over-development and could threaten nesting birds.

Adventure Beyond, which offers coasteering and kayaking trips, wants to build a centre for visitors in Moylegrove, Pembrokeshire.

But opponents said they wanted the “fragile ecosystem” of Ceibwr Bay near Cardigan, Ceredigion, to be “kept wild”.

Supporters of the scheme said it would be good for the environment by cutting traffic.

In a planning statement provided to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, Adventure Beyond managing director Jet Moore said a new location was needed to store equipment and vehicles as a nearby farm may no longer be available.

The company hopes to provide a “recreation hub” where customers can park and get changed. They would then be encouraged to walk or cycle to Ceibwr Bay, about one mile (1.6km) away, for coasteering, kayaking or “field studies.”

The company employs 12 people full-time or part-time.

The development is part-funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, allocated by Pembrokeshire council, and the company has warned the grant must be spent by the end of 2024 or the “funds will be lost.”

Campaigner Dagmarr Moore from the Ceibwr Conservation group claimed coasteering was damaging to local nesting birds.

“We’d like to see Ceibwr kept wild,” she said.

“We think it’s important. The coasteerers climb on the cliffs and jump off underneath the nesting sea birds.

“When they jump off the birds fly away and leave their chicks and eggs and other gulls come in and take the eggs.

“This is a Special Area of Conservation an a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is a fragile ecosystem.”

The claims are rejected by instructor Cynyr Ifan, who has led trips for Adventure Beyond for 20 years.

“I’d like to see some direct proof of that, to be honest, because we’re a company, a group of people, who are very passionate about the wildlife,” he said.

“We know where the birds are nesting so we keep out of that area.”

Ms Moore believes coasteering should be banned in Ceibwr Bay.

“You cannot coasteer less than 100m (328ft) away from nesting sea birds and seals. If you’re climbing on these cliffs you’re right underneath the nesting seabirds.”

She denid her group was opposed to any development in the area: “Not if giving nature a voice makes you a nimby (not in my back yard),” she said.

“Not if trying to protect nature makes you that. You can use brownfield sites for affordable housing and we think that would be the best option.”

But Mr Ifan said coasteering can be beneficial for young people.

“We work with many groups: young people from deprived areas with social problems,” he said.

“Ask any leader or teacher that brings a group here, how much they see a difference. what good it does for them. For their mental health, personal wellbeing and developing confidence in the water.”

Nevern Community Council has formally objected to the proposal, citing concerns about the size of the building and traffic management.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority was due to discuss the application in July but it has been deferred until September.

That is so that a report can be completed by Natural Resources Wales on the potential impacts of disturbance on the Ceibwr Bay colony of auk – a type of deep diving seabird.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority has also confirmed that a Habitats Regulation Assessment will need to be carried out before it determines the application.

It will look at whether the development could have a negative impact on the protected Special Area of Conservation in Cardigan Bay.