We’ve just come back from a reccy of the Delamere Go Ape. The first thing that struck us is that Delamere is a vast forest, like Grizedale, and that it would be easy to walk there without going anywhere near the Go Ape site – not so if here on Moel Famau!
Access is just off a two lane A road, down a short (we assumed Forsetry owned?) track – just two houses and no-one walking along it. Not so on the Moel Famau lane!
While the site itself did seem reasonably ‘in keeping’ the first sounds we heard, from about 1/4mile away, were those of the Zip Wire followed by the shouts of the couple people using them. Multiply that by five, add on another 58 people an hour – horrible!
Chatting to a helpful member of FC staff we asked if there were any problems with the Go Ape site, no, was the answer, the only complaints are about the traffic and the shouting…….
Finally, we thought we’d see how local business’ have fared, after all, that is one of Go Ape’s selling points. Ah, the Delamere pub has closed down and the little cafe at the station up for sale, not many customers in there either. Oh, but the Forestry Commission cafe (on site) is buzzing! The locals must be delighted……….
Hi.Jane
Somebody as left a comment on our website
http://www.leverpark.co.uk/
everything is going to hit the fan up here, i’ll keep you informed.
One of the problems we face is that even some of our own local councillors appear to be backing whom they perceive to be the group with the most to lose and with the smallest voice – i.e. local businesses. What they fail to realise is that the local businesses in favour of the development already effectively have the backing of Go Ape, of the County Council and of the forestry Commission. Surely it is us, the local people most affected by this, whom have the most to lose and who most need the backing of our local councillors?
Councillor Evans commented in this month’s News & Views, relating to the Go Ape development in Grizedale…
“This community has been transformed from the extra people coming to the area” – Source: http://go-ape.org/?p=69
Maybe, but has it been transformed for better or for worse, and is this site directly comparable to Moel Famau?
To be fair to Chris, I have spoken to her and I don’t believe she has made her mind up one way or the other yet (please correct me if I am wrong!). I think she is just speaking up for those she believes most need her representation at this time. What we need to convince ALL our Councillors of is that WE are the ones who most need their support!