Local residents took part in a nature walk to protest and prevent the creation of a dam in Dinas Powys Woods.

Over 350 residents of Dinas Powys, including local celebrity and environmental activist, Charlotte Church, descended onto the Woodland Trust on Sunday 15th September in support of a campaign to prevent a concrete dam, the size of a football pitch, being built in a place of outstanding natural beauty.

The walk, attended by people across the age spectrum, was arranged by local action group, Save Dinas Powys Woods and Protect Homes from Flooding, to provide information to residents about the dam.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) say that the dam is one of the their preferred options to safeguard the 198 homes that they predict currently have at least a 1% (or 1 in 100) chance of flooding in any year from the Cadoxton River and East Brook.

As a result of climate change the NRW predicts that by 2117 this will increase to 352 homes being at a 1% (or 1 in 100) chance of flooding, or greater.

95 of these homes are at a high risk so have the greatest chance of flooding: more than a 3.33% (or 1 in 30) chance of flooding in any year.

NRW accept that the dam, some 60m wide, 120m long and 3.5m high, would cause irreversible damage to ancient woodland with associated displacement of plants, nature and wildlife.

They have admitted that the scheme will use up to £7 million of public money and will restrict access to the most visited Woodland Trust owned site in Wales, attracting over 50,000 visits per year.

However, they say that the benefits outweigh the costs in comparison to the other options.

They state on their website: ''The dam is an effective solution for reducing flood risk in Dinas Powys, using a natural floodplain to store water.

''There would be limited disruption to transport routes during construction.

''There is also an opportunity to incorporate wetland habitat creation into the design.''

The proposal has met with significant criticism and opposition.

Local residents were joined on Sunday by Anthony Slaughter from the Green Party and Julie Morgan AM.

Also in attendance to answer questions was Chris Matts, of The Woodland Trust, Site and Project Manager of the South and West Wales

Cathy Farr of the Action Group addressed the gathering, stating: "The proposed dam will be enormous and hugely damaging to the local environment.

''It will not only ruin a local amenity, but will destroy ancient woodland and displace wildlife, including dormice, a protected species.

''The site will be closed for 18 months during the construction phase, and then 4 - 6 times a year when the dam will be filled causing flooding to a large area of The Woodland Trust site, drowning animals and totally changing the biodiversity of the whole area.

''As it is, Wales has only 2% ancient woodland; we simply cannot afford to lose any more.

''Yes, we want homes in Dinas Powys protected from flooding, but NRW have ninety-seven other options that they could consider that would not have such a catastrophic effect on the natural environment."

Anthony Slaughter of the Green Party agreed "there are alternatives to the potential destruction of this beautiful place."

Chris Matts added, "We were delighted by the turnout today and encouraged by such strong local support. I have never seen so many people at The Woodland Trust all at the same time."