Zip wire application withdrawn

Campaigners have welcomed the decision by Treetop Trek to withdraw a planning application for zip wires across the Thirlmere reservoir. Campaign for National Parks had submitted an objection to the planning proposal because of the impact of the proposals on the valley’s beauty and tranquillity.

It has been reported that the developer behind the proposed zip wires, Treetop Trek, decided to withdraw the application due to concerns expressed by the Ministry of Defence.

Zip wire protesters in January. Photo credit: Friends of the Lake District.

There has been mass opposition to the application, with the Lake District National Park Authority receiving over 3,000 letters objecting to the plans and concerns raised by the likes of actor Caroline Quentin, and broadcaster Melvynn Bragg.

“We are delighted that the planning application has been withdrawn. While the concerns of the Ministry of Defence are of course very important, we also believe that 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. If it went ahead, we were also concerned about the precedent it would set for further commercial activity, not only in this peaceful valley, but elsewhere in the Lake District and in other National Parks,” said Fiona Howie, chief executive of Campaign for National Parks.

Safe for now? High rigg and Thirlmere. Photo credit: Andrew Locking.