A Go Ape planning application for a replacement Tree Top Challenge high ropes course, featuring 2 prolonged zip wires in Whinlatter Forest, is proving to be controversial. The zip wires, measuring 972 and 816 metres, will pass over the B5292 Whinlatter Pass road, while the high ropes course will comprise stations on and crossings between trees along with access points, platforms, braking systems and landing locations.
Already opposition is mounting against the proposal, with one early objector, Mike Cave from Thornthwaite, saying in a letter to The Keswick Tip that if approved, individuals could “say goodbye to peaceful walks around the forest!”
And he warns that a major boost in congestion at the Braithwaite narrows can be anticipated if the application is approved.
He states that the noise evaluation amongst the “mass of supporting files” only thought about the influence on the Home in the Wood, 240 metres away from the zip wires.
” Not remarkably, it discovered no substantial impact,” he composes. “But it didn’t think about the noise effect on cyclists passing under the zip wires nor individuals walking in Whinlatter.
“Cyclists would have to deal with 50 metres above somebody travelling at as much as 70mph on the zip wire. The noise would increase by over 20 decibels or over 100 times.
” The landing points for the northbound zip wires are close to the visitor centre and could be 30 decibels.”
And he states that the traffic evaluation seeks to show that there will be very little increase in cars through the Braithwaite narrows. The evaluation has a claimed increase of 15 lorry motions an hour at peak times or one every eight minutes.
” Overlooking the poor mathematics, the computation has some major defects,” he stated. “It assumes that all the occupants of the car will take part in the zip wire experience.
” It would be more sensible to anticipate that some more mature visitors will choose the quieter experiences of the Whinlatter Forest. Assuming 50 per cent involvement would double the variety of vehicles.
” Their computation likewise assumes that a third of the automobiles would originate from the Lorton direction. While this may be true of basic traffic on the pass road, the majority of visitors to the zip wire will be visitors to the Lake District National Park and drive through Braithwaite.
” These 2 adjustments increase the automobile motions to 40 not 15, and the frequency to 90 seconds, not the claimed eight minutes.
Go Ape, a tenant of Forestry England at Whinlatter Forest, says that the effect of the tree disease Phytophthora ramorum on its existing Treetop Obstacle course offered a chance to develop “an amazing brand-new course” within the forest as a replacement.
It says that it is continuing to develop its activity offerings in the Lake District, supporting the sustained success of Whinlatter Forest and a thriving post-Covid19 visitor economy.
” Reports produced suggest that Whinlatter Forest is a desirable area for these recreational developments,” it states. “The propositions will produce new jobs and support the larger visitor economy through bringing in more youthful audiences.
Go Ape says that the primary advantage the broadened activities will provide is employment. It currently utilises one full-time person and 18 part-time workers with salary costs of £165,000. But it is anticipated that the new experience would increase the number of full-time personnel to two with 44 part-time staff members costing £330,000 in salaries.
A financial statement includes that visitors to Go Ape would help support other companies at Whinlatter consisting of Forestry England through cars and coach parking charges (this might be £160,000 per annum), Cafe Ambio with increased food and beverage sales and Cyclewise bike hire and retail.
The report includes that the lack of a rope course at Whinlatter between February and August 2022, Forestry England saw a 32 per cent drop in visitor numbers than in 2019.
” A Go Ape presence at Whinlatter has a large impact on organisation sustainability and the dynamic of the site,” states the declaration. “There would likewise be the other advantages for visitors that use regional lodging, retail and services.”
A former British Military Officer, Eddie went on to study History and then Journalism at Sheffield Hallam University. A keen outdoorsman, he has co-written several books on Outdoor Survival and Wild Camping. Now living in Penrith, Ed is a keen fellrunner.
