Lake District zip wire plans scrapped after wave of opposition

Lakeland hills reflected upon the still face of the Thirlmere Reservoir in the Lake District National Park
Lakeland hills reflected upon the still face of the Thirlmere Reservoir in the Lake District National Park Credit:  Loop Images Ltd / Alamy

Controversial plans to erect a series of zip wire rides across one of the most beautiful landscapes in Britain have been abandoned after a chorus of protests from residents and environmental campaigners.

Treetop Trek Ltd had applied for planning permission for a £1.8m activity hub with eight aerial lines up to 1,200 metres long criss-crossing the lake.

Charities including Friends of the Lake District and the Wainwright Society, along with Caroline Quentin, the actress and president of Campaign for National Parks, opposed the scheme, saying it would despoil the landscape.

At the same time the RAF warned that the zip wires, which would have been the highest and longest in England, could bring down the fighter jets which use the area for training.

The Lake District National Park Authority received more than 2,300 responses to its consultation on the plans.

Despite Cumbria Tourism and the Lake District Park Partnership Business Task Force both backing the scheme, saying the project would boost tourism and the local economy, Treetop Trek yesterday announced the application has been withdrawn.

The spot where the proposed zip wires would have been strung across Thirlmere reservoir
The spot where the proposed zip wires would have been strung across Thirlmere reservoir

Fiona Howie, chief executive of Campaign for National Parks, said: "We are delighted that the planning application has been withdrawn. The proposal was totally inappropriate due to the impact it would have had on this beautiful and tranquil part of the Lake District National Park."

Mike Turner, managing director of Treetop Trek Ltd, said: "We have this week withdrawn our planning application for the Thirlmere Activity Hub with immediate effect.

"We made it clear from the beginning of this process that we would not propose a scheme that was not supported by the MOD. To date we have received two contradictory communications with the MOD; one supporting the scheme and the other opposing the scheme.

"The MOD's internal investigation into Thirlmere and into what they would be happy with at Thirlmere is ongoing and unlikely to be resolved within the next eight weeks, so on that basis we are withdrawing the application.

"We would like to sincerely thank all those who have supported us during this process. Their positivity has been hugely appreciated."

Treetop Trek already has a treetop adventure and zip wire at the LDNPA's Lake District Visitor Centre in Brockhole, and a site at Heaton Park in Manchester.

Opposing the zip wire plans Ms Quentin had said: “My fear is that they will spoil the peace and tranquillity of this beautiful, important place. I am all for development that enhances our National Parks but my instinct is that we should say no to zip wires in Thirlmere.”

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