Second Go Ape for Cumbria
Whinlatter Forest Park, near Keswick, is to be the latest home of a Go Ape leisure attraction after planners did a U-turn.
Members of the Lake District National Park Authority's development control committee reconsidered a planning application they had previously rejected on the grounds that it would cause extensive traffic problems for the neighbouring village of Braithwaite.
The Forest Commission has now been given permission to turn Whinlatter Forest Park, England's only mountain forest, into a Go Ape site, including an adventure course and 19km of mountain bike trails.
The reversal over the decision reportedly came following the revelation that the Commission would press ahead with its cycling trails regardless of planning permission.
Go Ape, an award-winning high wire forest adventure course of rope bridges, tarzan swings and zip slides, already operates in 12 locations across the country, including Grizedale in Cumbria and Delamere Forest in Cheshire.
As well as the Whinlatter site, the company, which is owned by Surrey-based couple Tristram and Rebecca Mayhew, is to open another three sites at Leeds Castle, Kent; Wendover Woods, Buckinghamshire; and Haldon Forest Park, Devon.
