Friends of Moel Famau

Dear Supporter,

Here is an update on the situation with regard to Go Ape’s plans for Zip Wild on Moel Famau and our opposition to their proposals.

No Planning Application has yet been made but we hear that Go Ape have started their Environmental Impact Assessment on the site.  A true EIA can take 1 – 2 years so it’ll be interesting to see long they give it!

We know that it is essential that any objections are factual and valid within Planning Law so we’re seeking professional advice and looking at the costs of possible legal representation and that of any our own Surveys – this may be needed if we disagree with Go Ape’s evidence. We are also in contact with other Action Groups that have opposed Go Ape – some successfully – and learning from their opposition.

Many of you may not have seen the article in the Chronicle stating that ‘Go Ape is Coming to Moel Famau’ and a Forestry Commission Press Release (March 12^th) says that ‘they are seeking the public’s views’ so we would suggest that we all let them know our view.  We can do this by contacting Steve Crosby of the Forestry Commission at Steve.Crosby@forestry.gsi.gov.uk and by adding our views to the Go Ape Discussion wall at http://moelfammau.openforum.zipwild.com.

We need to let them know we don’t want Go Ape on Moel Famau!

Three committee members went down to the Wyre Forest Go Ape site on the 8^th April to meet with Tristram Mayhew, one of the directors of Go Ape. He made it quite clear that the company fully intend to pursue this project and were investing money in noise and environmental impact studies together with traffic surveys etc to back up their planning application. He seemed little impressed by our AONB status, and objections to change in the status quo, pointing out that the company had various facilities in other protected sites such as National Parks. He has never visited Moel Famau! He felt that in the end, it would be up to the planners to balance the argument between economic gains versus environmental and visual impact and to measure the strength of local objection.

This month there will also be a meeting with Brynle Williams one of our local AMs and a meeting with our MP is also planned.  So far, they have all been really helpful and supportive.

It is possible that one or two local businesses may benefit from Zip Wild and we respect this. However, during a visit to the Go Ape site at Delamere, we noted that the local pub had closed down and the well known Station Café was up for sale with apparently very few customers – everyone seemed to be down at the Visitors Centre Café……..Is that what’s planned for the Forestry Car park area????

We’re all working hard at spreading opposition to the Zip Wild proposal and are pleased that we’re also getting lots of support from regular visitors to the area too. Please keep up the good work!

The next  Save Moel Famau Committee meeting is on Monday 26^th April at 8.30pm. Do get in touch if you’d like to attend or have any specific items for discussion.

 SMF Committee