15 July (Part 1) - Go Ape. The kick-back begins
My
Go Ape correspondent told me that the company opened a new ‘attraction’ in
Alexandra Palace yesterday and sent several photos taken there. (Example Photo 1.) It does not
appeal to me in the slightest and certainly not at £41·95 per person (Ally Pally price) but it does
appear to have its supporters, principally among Bexley’s Conservative and
Labour Councillors who voted for a similar facility to be built in Danson Park.
When I left
the Planning meeting that approved it on 12th June I found myself among a
gaggle of Go Ape protesters who were already planning a kick-back over the
decision and it would appear that it was not just excitable post-decision talk.
The ‘gaggle’ has developed into a formal campaign group which has taken legal
advice and issued the following statement.
Community Campaign Calls on Bexley Council to Withdraw from Go
Ape Proposal Following Legal Advice
The community campaign Stop Go Ape in Danson Park is calling on Bexley
Council to step back from its proposed Go Ape development in Danson Park.
The Campaign has provided clear grounds to challenge Bexley Council’s
earlier approval in a formal ‘Letter before Action’.
The letter argues that the Planning Committee decision to permit a
commercial high ropes course in ancient woodland is legally flawed. The
grounds raised include misinterpreting Bexley’s own Local Plan, their
approach to the likely heritage harm this commercial activity could bring
and their handling of the debate over use of ancient woodland and treatment of veteran trees.
Ann McCawley, a spokesperson for ‘Stop GoApe in Danson Park’ said:
“We have absolutely no objection to GoApe in the right location - but we
can’t stand by while an ancient woodland - preserved through generations
of community support and public investment - is sacrificed for commercial gain”.
The Campaign trusts Bexley Council to think again and halt any further work
until there’s time for them to re-examine their
approach with GoApe. The Council has an opportunity to sort this out now,
without resorting to expensive and time consuming Judicial Review action in the High Court.
This Press Release was obtained from Mr. Scott Wilson who I assume is their
publicity spokesman.
Protesters at the Civic Offices before the planning meeting.