Plans for a new "Aqua Park" outside Bluewater have been met with disapproval from locals who fear the loss of animal habitats and cherished "tranquil" lockdown spaces.

Water sports company Aqua Parcs has submitted a planning bid to build a seasonal inflatable obstacle course on the main lake at the Greenhithe shopping centre.

It proposes to build a total of nine 20ft containers and three 40ft containers on adjacent land to provide a reception, staff and first aid rooms, changing and shower facilities and a seasonal cafe.

Aqua Parcs says the water park would be temporary lasting between July and October this year, returning May to October the following season.

But campaigners argue the proposals would ruin a "well-loved" green space and permanently harm wildlife and eco-diversity.

If the plans go ahead it is anticipated that a total of 30,000 guests will visit in year one, followed by a further 36,000 visitors the next.

A total of 30 jobs will be created as part of the proposals, the park owner says.

In its planning statement the company said: "The proposed development will provide a unique offer to Dartford and Bluewater as a whole which is important for its competitiveness and offer as a regional shopping centre.

"The proposal will bring a vacant area of open space into use and will not adversely affect the parkland setting nor local residents’ amenity and the local highway network."

In addition to the inflatable obstacle course visitors will also be able to participate in stand up paddle boarding and open water swimming.

But the plans have been met with opposition from some local residents who say they have relied on the nature trail as a place of "tranquillity" in the long months of lockdown.

A petition urging Dartford council to scrap the plans went live over the weekend and has amassed more than 6,500 signatures to date.

Greenhithe resident Katie Lynch, who started the campaign, feels the water park should instead be placed somewhere more appropriate.

She said: "Not only will this destroy the biodiversity of the lake, it will disrupt and discourage the surrounding wildlife and increase the traffic and pollution to our already heaving road network.

"The nature trail is a rare tranquil spot with many memorials to lost love ones and just isn’t an appropriate place for a water park."

Katie also hit out at the seasonal aspect of the proposals, adding "they are using the word 'temporary' like it makes it better."

"The inflatables they intend to put in the lake may be temporary but the damage to nine species of bat, 40 species of creepy crawlies, countless fish and nesting herons, geese, ducks and swans will not be."

She added: "It has been a lifeline for many families during the pandemic and we only have three weeks to save it."

Despite these ecological concerns the Environment Agency said they did not have any objections, although added that water quality of lakes should not be impacted and all drainage kept clear.

A spokesman for Bluewater said: “A planning application has been submitted for a temporary seasonal, inflatable water obstacle attraction on one of our lakes.

"We are proud that Bluewater’s nature trail area has been awarded Green Flag status for the fifth year, so any new outdoor attractions must fit within this environmental context and, as part of the planning application, we undertook an Environmental Impact Assessment.

"Set within 50 acres of stunning parkland, the nature trail is a much-loved part of the Bluewater experience and will remain for our guests to enjoy.”

Dartford's development control board will next meet on April 15.

The deadline for comments is April 9 and can be submitted via the council planning portal here.

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