News

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More Planning controversy?
We have been sent an article which details the application at the Go Ape site at Winlatter Forest Park, in Cumbria. It seems that Go Ape have set up their site here without planning permission, as of 5th August 2009. "...20 months after the permission to build the Go Ape and Altura Trail had been agreed, in the words of Mr McGowan "planning permission has not been granted". The reason for this is that the LDNPA has failed to ensure that the Forestry Commission had signed the Sct 106 Agreement, which was an obligation in order to activate the planning consent.

The consequence of this failure is, again in the words of Mr McGowan, that "the Go Ape course has been installed without planning permission". See full story here

Some felled trees - Not at Lever Park
© Copyright Lizzie and licensed for reuse under the
Creative Commons Licence.
Source

Go Ape - we chopped down 18 trees 'by mistake'
Readers of the Go Ape forum were surprised yesterday when Go Ape admitted that they had felled 18 too many trees at their Lever Park, Rivington, development. In response to this question: "The Friends of Lever park claim that you applied to cut down 3 trees, but you actually felled 21 with no felling license, before you were stopped by objections. Is this true? Have you applied to fell more? Have you applied for an extra zip wire there? Is this what we can expect at IVCP?... " Go Ape relpied "You are correct, there were more trees cut down than we had planned at Lever Park. This was a mistake, and not intentional and we can assure you that this mistake will not be made again. In the initial design for the course at Lever Park, we planned for a zip wire on site 4, however this would have meant further trees being felled so we did not proceed with this plan. As a result, we have been running with a solution of a down ladder. This has reduced course flow, and so results in more people on the ground and a long walk to the next site, which is less than satisfactory for us and for other park users. We have recently worked out a slightly different design to allow for the planned zip wire which will not require further felling. We can assure you that our application for Itchen Valley will remain as it is and there will be no further additions to the course."

The Friends of Lever Park have stated on their website that "We have been notified by go-ape that they intend to submit a planning application for another zip wire which will run from tree 411 (stockade at primary school end) taking a E.S.East route towards the bridle path. They say that the new zip wire will be approx 50 metres in length.They intend to submit the plans during the week beginning the 16th Nov/09 , they have also asked us to let them know if there is anyone else we feel should be notified. We have replied respectfully stating that it not for us to tell them the requirements of a planning application within Lever Park.

When the plans have been submitted, we will be calling a meeting of “Friends of Lever Park” supporters, and hopefully we will also be in a position to bring the supporters upto date on the LGO investigation and the ICO investigation. " Source

See Go Ape Forum and The Friends of lever Park

Confusion over the Special needs path?

When recently questioned about the special needs path, representatives from Go Ape thought it was the cycle route. This demonstrates a level of contempt for the park's special needs users and the planning process. It also strengthens our belief that the consultations, papers and reports that have been submitted to support Go Ape's proposal are, at best, lacking in comprehension, detail, and in the spirit of genuine public concern for the private use of a public asset. How can we believe that Go Ape are being socially aware when it seems that they haven't consulted to establish any information about the impact that their development will cause to these park users, and the invaluable Special needs path, taking users through beautiful open woods, unrestricted and quiet. See details here

Natural England object to Go Ape application!

We have received notice from Natural England that they have formally objected to the Go Ape planning application, on the grounds of disturbance to Otters. Natural England is the government’s advisor on the natural environment. "We provide practical advice, grounded in science, on how best to safeguard England’s natural wealth for the benefit of everyone."

Dr. McBride reports - negative impact on animals at Itchen Valley Country Park

We have been sent a copy of the expert opinion submitted in the planning objection by Dr. Anne McBride, Director - Applied Animal Behaviour Unit at Southampton University. After visiting the site on 7th November 2009, Dr. McBride's report raises grave concerns over the impact of the noise from the proposed Go Ape site in the context of the the birds, dogs, horses, riders and public that use the park, woods and copses. This is available to view on our website with the kind permission of the author.
Click for more

Go Ape encourage customers to bring alcohol into our park...

Summer evening park strollers and dog walkers will be subjected to people who have been encouraged to drink in the park. Along with the noise, rubbish, and reduced accessibility, this can only contribute to the abandonment of the park by these users. Go Ape's socially aware ethical policy seems redundant in this context...
The corporate days package includes the Forest Bar-B-Q "Why not award your hardworking team with a fabulous 'Fine Food Feast' in the forest? A day of grappling with wires high up in the trees, riding or walking through Old Mother Forest, or working out your teams' business strategies for the next quarter will work up an appetite like no other.

We team up with top regional caterers to deliver you a Bar-B-Q to be reckoned with. Finest meats, breads, salads and vegetables from the region - due to recent changes in the licensing laws we are unable to provide alcohol with our BBQ's, but please feel free to bring some cold beers, white and red wine if you wish and we can provide the glasses - and all in a beautiful and tranquil forest setting. Maybe invite partners or office colleagues to join in the evening joviality - a perfect way to finish off an exhilarating day!" We assume that all delegates participating in the day events will attend the bar-b-q. However there is a box on the form to indicate increased numbers for the bar-b-q should you wish partners, colleagues or others to join the group in the evening." Go Ape website - Corporate events.

FIVCP campaign in the Media
West End Parish Council votes against Go Ape! at Itchen Valley Country Park. 9-1 voted against the proposal. See full story and comments Here

Campaigners told to remove protest signs - BBC TV and radio reports on the hasty response of Eastleigh Borough Council to protesters garden placards. Click for more

BBC Interview - You and Yours - Transcribed interview which debates the policy duality & legality of the notices served to protestors re: removal of garden placards. Click for more

Eastleigh Council finally direct comments for the application to their own website! Until November 2nd 2009, the Council website invited your opinions about this matter to be sent directly to the Go Ape company. As Go Ape have a financial interest, this process did not allow people to "...have the chance to have their say about the proposal.." as claimed in the previous website. In summary, council officers were taking a poll of public opinion from the developer. On 3/11/09, the Council website replaced the invitation to send your opinions on this development to Go Ape with an invitation to comment on the planning application directly. Click for more

Eastleigh Borough Council to rule on Go Ape plans for Itchen Valley Country Park Daily Echo confirm the planning application. As directed by Eastleigh Councils website, (until 02/11/09 - link now removed) Go Ape report “We have been pleased to receive several hundred responses, the clear majority of which have been in favour.” However we have no way of knowing this. There is an on-line poll included in this article - please consider clicking 'NO' Click for more

Go Ape plans not popular with residents near Itchen Valley James Maden's solely positive piece on Fri 16th in the Daily Echo about his great day out at Go Ape. His description of his wonderful experience has an electronic vote counter underneath it asking whether the people want a Go Ape development in Itchen Valley Country Park, but the article fails to present a balanced argument. Click for more

Your Letters - Correspondence between FIVCP and the media / Council etc. Copy us in on your letters and we'll publish them here.

"...and I Quote"

A new column, highlighting what others say about the reality of Go Ape, before and after they move in, ethics, applications, legal & due processes, and media. These are true reproductions of other people's views, quoted directly from other websites - sources given.

Disclaimer: Unless where referenced otherwise, the following quotes are taken, unedited, from the Save Pollok Park , Friends of Lever Park campaign websites, and GoPetition, via the FIVCP website. They do not represent our opinion, but merely shed light on others, and serve to highlight the similarities between these applications in relation to Go Ape, the public & park users, the planning process and the planners,in the context of the recent ecological and social shift in policy, by placing Go Ape developments in small public assets. We have referenced each quote to its' source, except the GoPetition quotes, which do not have a unique URL. We accept no responsibility for the content of external websites.

From Tristram Mayhew - Co Founder, Go ape
"We always commission an in-depth environmental impact study by suitably recognised, qualified and independent consultants. "In the case of Pollok Park, we are confident the environmental impact assessment was carried out sensitively to a standard which satisfies the local planning process."
Online Evening times

Bill Fraser - Pollock Park Spokesman
Save Pollok Park spokesman Bill Fraser said: "The city council didn't do its homework. "There was no proper environmental study done. We think the whole thing was inept and sloppy."
Online Evening times

From GoPetition
Take heart from Save Pollok Park's campaign which successfully stopped Go Ape in Pollok Park in Glasgow. Throughout the campaign Go Ape suggested they would listen to public opinion on the proposed development, but certainly did not seem to. Good luck with the campaign to protect your local county park. You can do it!!!!

Blog entry by Neil Infield, from British Library Business & IP Centre website, re: Tristram Mayhew - Co Founder, Go ape
Tristram Mayhew the founder and ‘Chief Gorilla’ of Go Ape, the UK’s leading forest-based adventure company talked about Gorilla marketing. Instead of focussing on their specific activities Go Ape are branding themselves as ‘creating adventures’, and are encouraging everyone to live life more adventurously.

Gorilla marketing means turning your customers into an effective free sales force. These are his tips:
1. Wow them with what you do.
2. Delight them – turn complainers into ambassadors.
3. Build a trust and charm based relationship
4. … and they will buy more, and more often – Tristram openly admitted that many of their ideas have been borrowed from the Innocent drinks company.
5. Innovate, validate, cultivate.
Source British Library

From Tristram Mayhew - Co Founder, Go ape
“We had to give them a share of turnover“, he says, but in return he benefited from the fact that basic infrastructure was already in place – with water treatment plants, cafes, loos and car parks in most of the forests. “That was the real beauty of the deal.” Tristram Mayhew: 'how I shook £1m from the money tree' in MoneyWeek

From Eastleigh Borough Council's 'Twitter' page
Want to know the truth about Go Ape at Itchen Valley Country Park? Go to http://itchen.openforum.goa... for more information
1:32 AM Oct 29th from web Source

From Lever Park
" I have recently completed my 22 yrs service in the Armed Forces, and have not been home for the past 3yrs, I am absolutely sick to the stomach at what I found on one of my runs round the first creek, this Go Ape is a hideous blemish on my local landscape and should be removed post haste, any help you need in achieving this I will be very accommodating, didn’t I read somewhere that Leverhulme gave the park to the people of Bolton to wander freely around, if you have action meetings to achieve your goals I will be only too happy to help, my home village of Rivington is a lot busier than when I was younger, to be frank it disgusts me. " Yours, a concerned CSM A R Kay Ex 1GG and Rivington Village dweller. Source

Weather Eastleigh

Other news

'Son et lumière' comes to IVCP
The friends of the park have created a marvellous attraction for their website! Experience in audio and visual glory, the sights and sounds of the Go Ape experience! Switch your speakers on then Click for more!

Campaigns connect !
IVCP to Glasgow & Australia The battle to preserve small sites from this development is not a solitary one! We have received e-mails of support from both the 'Save Bidjigal Reserve' campaign, who are at similar stage of the process to IVCP, and the 'Save Pollok Park' campaign. Pollok Park. We have provided site and media links relating to these campaigns, Click for more

Bidjigal reserve
Reproduced with permission

No Drumming workshops at IVCP!
7/11/09 - Following persistant questioning on the Go Ape forum, Go Ape confirm that their corporate Drumming workshops will not proceed at IVCP. "... drumming workshops ... are not the norm at all Go Ape courses. As there is particular concern over noise at Itchen Valley Country Park, the workshops will not be offered at the park. " Without a caveat within the planning permission requiring further consultation. there is nothing to prevent a change of business plan that could bring the Drumming workshops to IVCP in the future.
* taken from Go Ape forum

An example of what part of a Go Ape site is like. At capacity there will be someone every 2 minutes. On busy days there is evidence from Go Ape blogs that queues develop.
Pollok Park Website

From 'Planning watch' re: Pollok Park
We exposed Glasgow Council’s flawed public consultation process, their cavalier treatment towards the National Trust for Scotland and that the Council and Go Ape’s statements that they would only come to Pollok Park if the people of Glasgow wanted them as a con

We exposed the the fact that Councillors were misled when they approved the proposal in 2007 – because they were not told of the legal agreement in place which mean that NTS consent is needed to certain developments – nor were they told that Pollok Park is Common Good Land – it cannot be alianated and anyway the projected commercial deal to raise money for Council services is a non-starter

We exposed the “offer ” by Go Ape of 450 free places to Glasgow schoolchildren as a con – head teachers were not asked if they would agree to the health and safety requirements or to virtually shutting schools down to enable enough teachers to accompany the pupils- we did ask and we have not found one school who said they would take up the “offer”

We have exposed the poverty of the planning application- the lack of public toilets, no parking survey was done, no study of the flora to be affected was done, the less than truthful assertion that ” we would have to look up to notice anything at all ” the visual and noise pollution of the fences and zip wires in an area of national landscape importance . Despite this 14 Councillors voted through the application – but now the Council has recognised the flaws and is trying to get round them – see News and Updates

We rallied over 5000 signatures , held public meetings of 700+ and a vigil of 1000 people . We have shown that we are not a small group of “NIMBYs but people from all over Glasgow and beyond who value the gift to the “Nation and the Citizens of Glasgow “ that is Pollok Park and are determined to safeguard it as it was intended even if the Council seems to have abandoned its obligations under the terms of the original gift We have supported other campaigns in UK fighting GoApe proposals in equally unsuitable sites and exposed that they cannot be trusted – eg they have illegally felled trees in Chorley
Source

From Lever Park
"Sadly, this means that they’re looking for just the unspoilt, quiet, areas that wildlife and the majority of local people regard as ‘their’ local patch of countryside. Looks like they are looking for the same type of sites in Australia!
A few points that we’ve learned from experience:

* Complain, and complain early. We were slow off the mark here in Rivington and the planning process was already well underway before we realised what was happening.
* The number of trees actually felled will be much larger than the number of trees that they say will need to be cut down in the planning application (in Rivington they claimed for 3 trees but 21 trees were actually cut down – more would have been cut down until we objected)
* Go Ape will stress their green, ethical credentials but remember that people swinging from trees does not encourage wildlife, and trees planted to replace any trees felled will take 100 years to grow.
* Go Ape will also make noises about encouraging new people to visit and appreciate the countryside. They might suggest that under-privileged people will benefit. Then they’ll charge £25 per person and admit that their target customer is middle or upper class (with plenty of spare cash).
* They can work the system. If your local planning procedure has any shortcuts, they know how to use them. They can schmooze to the local council and councillors and sound very persuasive.
* During the planning process, Go Ape may well claim that the their site is small, covering only a few hectares of land. This might allow them to fast-track the process. Check this out carefully. At Rivington the planning permission was based on the size of their log cabin and car park. The huge size of the course itself was never included – for the laughable reason that ‘it was in the air, not on the ground’.
* Beware of formal consultation taking place under the guise of a simple presentation. Many local councillors believed that they’d just witnessed a simple presentation but Go Ape were subsequently able to claim that this was part of a formal consultation process.
* Get in touch with your local councillors immediately and get them on-side with your group. We found many committees and councuillors who were prepared simply to nod though any proposal put in from of them. One local MP has been brilliant, some local councillors have been good, but many have been worse than useless!
* Get a website, and make press releases. But remember that Go Ape will be advertising with local press so there may be some bias against you."
Source

From Lever Park - Oct 11th, 2009 by bobdootson
"We received notification from the LGO on the 8thOct/09, that she will be finalising her report within the next month. Whatever the outcome of the report, nobody should ever again stand by and allow such actions to go unchallenged. If the Parish Council get a whiff of anything happening, they should deal with it ASAP and not wait for their next meeting. (which I’m led to believe is quarterly)The local community have representation on various bodies, these representatives should bring any info out into the public domain. (stop being so secretive)

This development went through Delegated Powers because of apathy, local representation was to laid back .If you want to protect Rivington and Lever Park, it will need more than meeting for cream teas.

This complaint has been hard work, I’ve had to put up with unbelievable arrogance and I’ve also had my eyes opened with regards to how certain local bodies behave. Having said that, the Council have come up with a few plus’s. There have been a few disappointments along the way, but I won’t name them on here, they know themselves who they are. What’s the saying “All talk and no action”. Apathy is a sign of weakness, and the strong will punish you for it."
Source

Cllr Karen Chilvers, former lead campaigner in the Save Thorndon Park campaign, wants commercialisation of the parks dismissed.

Her call for a pressure group to moderate the development of the country parks follows the ditched plans for a Go Ape venture in Thorndon Country Park in 2006.

Critics argued that if given the go-ahead the plans for the high ropes adventure course would have paved the way for destructive commercial development in the park. Cllr Chilvers said: “With us entering into the partnership arrangement we need to ensure that the parks are fully funded so we are not tempted into commercialisation at all or not too much.

“The cafe at Thorndon Park is well used and I know there was talk of extending it to sell hot food. That is acceptable but to take the most extreme examples, Starbucks or McDonald's, then that would not be.”
Source - Underneath the green banner.

And from GoPetition
Obviously EBC don't care about their electorate or they would have had a proper consultation, not just notify 20 homes in Allington Lane at VERY short notice. The behaviour of EBC both before and during this campaign has been despicable. I'm ashamed to say I voted Lib Dem before, but NEVER again. You are supposed to be the custodians of IVCP which at the moment is a beautiful park, with great accessibility. You should read IVCP management plan!

Being the mother of a child with Asperger Syndrome, we value the peace and tranquility that the park provides to our family. In this chaotic world, the park is a place where we can recharge our batteries, without the fear of noise and stress that we encounter in our daily life. Please , save this wonderful, peaceful and rare park for future generations.

I take a number of my older friends up to the park and they love these woods because they can take a walk and the ground is good. I think this is a despicable idea to rob people of their peaceful places. It is clearly not needed if another facility 2 miles away is underused. Shame on you Eastleigh Borough Council.

This is happening all over UK, and it needs to be stopped. The company must be shown that they must leave small woods alone

I find this application utterly dismaying. The key objections must be the disturbance to wildlife and the reduction of a valuable public amenity in favour of commercial gain. I urge those responsible for considering this application to refuse it.

There is a Go Ape within driving distance of here at Moor Valley we do not need one at Itchen Valley it should stay as a peaceful place

The proposed development seems entirely out of scale and keeping with the site, which is enjoyed for quiet recreation and forms part of an area of high wildlife value, and will remove public access to an area currently enjoyed as a public good.

What's the use of having a management plan for conservation of the park if you don't adhere to it? Lots of families spend time in the park, pond dipping, watching birds or trying to spot deer on their walks through the woods. This is a country park not a THEME park!

I'm a river keeper with 15 years experience on both the Itchen & Test. I firmly believe that the noise from the course and the inevitable drumming workshops together with the general disturbance generated by an extra 30,000 visitors WILL disturb or even drive out the Otters & Water Voles (which are both legally protected). I have personally observed Otters, by day and night with the use of night vision aids, along the river banks directly below the proposed site (which is only c. 30m away)..

we do not want itchen valley park to be ruined, keep it as the lovely quiet green space that it is. the amount of rubbish left behind during the summer by ignorant users of the park will only escalate if "go ape" goes ahead and cause untold distress and harm to the wildlife. ive been using the park on a daily basis for over 15years now and would be devasted to see the park ruined.

We are grateful to Sevenoaks art for the animations!

From Cllr Karen Chilvers - Campaign leader, Save Thorndean Park
Fortunately, Go Ape was turned down for a myriad of reasons, including the presence of Great Crested Newts who were breeding in the picnic pond, the dangers of setting a legal precedent if the change of use was approved and, undeniably, the weight of public opinion. To Cllr Baker, hundreds of residents fighting against this application seemed unimportant, as he dismissed them and then ridiculed my role in the campaign. But, the refusal reasons still exist. Source

From Pollok Park
"I visited Go Ape at Aberfoyle last week to see what all the fuss was about, and to have a good look around the site. What I found was nothing short of a mess: even before visitors had arrived for the first 'experiences' of the day, it was evident to me that the visual impact was not compatible with the "unobtrusive" nature which has been promoted by Go Ape and Glasgow City Council.

The site was littered with spare cables, boxes and additional parts for the many high wooden fences which surround most of the installations. Even worse, many tree stumps were visible, and the trees which had been cut down lay where they had fallen. While this may be acceptable for the setting in Aberfoyle, it was quite clear to me that this kind of installation is completely inappropriate when you consider the environment of North Wood in Pollok Park. I simply cannot understand why the council would want to jeopardise all the good work it has done in Pollok Park and the Burrell Collection by allowing a glorified play-park to be sited in Glasgow's (and Europe's) best park.
Source - Scroll down to: 'Go Ape dumps on Queen Elizabeth Forest

From Lever Park
"- Planning permission was granted for three trees to be felled. Almost immediately, Go Ape felled 13 more trees without a felling license or planning permission. Go Ape agree that more trees will need to be felled to complete the course. From Go Ape’s own plans we estimate 40 trees will need to be felled, Go Ape estimate just 5 trees.
- Chorley Council’s did not consult adequately. Only three local properties were informed of the Go Ape plans. Two of the properties were business premises owned by United Utilities (Go Ape’s landlords in Lever Park), the third property was residential but the owner did not receive any letter. A school, vicarage, and 76 residents of Rivington Village, just a few hundred metres away, were not informed."
Source

From Indy Media Scotland, re: Pollok Park
“Throughout this saga the Council failed to consult its taxpayers properly or listen to protests. They did not address the legal and operational issues which we believe made the proposal a non-starter anyway. A great deal op ublic money and time has been wasted in futile posturing.”

“Go Ape was never part of a health agenda as the Council claimed but simply a crass attempt to cash in on a dear green place. The council has now lost two major park schemes to popular protest and they need to rethink the commercialisation of such open spaces or risk further defeats.”

“In March 2008 we characterised the council’s handling of the planning application as ’slapdash and incompetent’ as they failed to consider key evidence on a number of planning issues. For instance they did not consult NTS which has the lead conservation role. “
Source

"Landing Strips- there will be 5 or 6 of these. The application claims that except for the training zone there will be nothing to see at ground level. You can see from this and the previous photo that in fact there will be about 10 other areas fenced off at ground level for security and safety purposes . Evidence from Go Ape Buxton is that the sound of activity carries for about 200 metres "
Source

Photo supplied by Save Pollok Park, and used with their kind permission.