Proposal to open man-made lake to public

Plans have been put forward to open up a man-made lake to swimmers, sailors, and scuba divers.

Merton Lake, near Merton, Bicester, was dug in the 1990s to provide material for the M40 motorway, and is subject to a "change of use" application to open it up for recreational activities.

According to the plans, the Oxfordshire lake, located next to the M40 in the green belt, has "excellent" water quality and is "ideal for scuba diving" as it is 30m (98ft) deep in places.

The proposal said planning applicants Steve Glanfield and Mark Shearer were "water sports fanatics".

Glanfield in particular has had a 20-year career in "open water swimming and other water-based recreational facilities" at Queenford Lake, near Wallingford, "which has an excellent safety record".

The plans conclude: "The recent hot weather in the UK, which has resulted in a number of tragic deaths at private lakes and other waterbodies, has made it even more desirable to offer safe and controlled outdoor recreational and sporting activities which are designed for all age groups, including disabled and young children."

A 14-year-old boy died after getting into difficulty in the River Thames near Donnington Bridge in Oxford in May.

The proposal lists possible recreational uses as including "open water swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing, fishing and scuba diving".

Plans include a water sports centre, clubhouse, and a deck with outdoor seating and viewing area overlooking the lake.

The swimming area would be marked out with buoys and a "short timber floating jetty" with steps for swimmers is proposed.

A car park would have 37 spaces and a wildflower meadow would be included in the landscaping.

The plans say there would also be access to the lake for dog walkers and spectators "on a minimal annual fee club membership basis" as it is intended to become a "fully integrated community facility for the wellbeing of all those that wish to participate".

The proposal states that the site is "entirely private land with no legal right of access for the public".

A consultation is open on the council's planning portal until 1 October.