9:56am Thursday 9th October 2008
By Andrew Greaves
A group of residents have reported Chorley Borough Council to the Local Government Ombudsman after claiming that the authority did not follow correct procedure when granting planning permission for an aerial adventure play centre in Rivington.
The Friends of Lever Park (FLP), a group set up to stop the commercialisation of Lever Park and Rivington, has written to the council watchdog to complain about the decision to pass plans for the Go Ape attraction - on former United Utilities land at Rivington - under delegated powers.
Mike Wayne, a member of the FLP, said: “Lever Park was left to the people of Bolton by Lord Leverhulme with ‘free and uninterrupted access’ to this beautiful, peaceful area with its reservoirs, woods and hills.
“Go Ape has massacred a huge area, felling three age-old oak trees and 18 other trees to date – all with the blessing of Chorley Council.
“It may be a long fight to keep this beautiful area of countryside for future generations but that is what we and many others intend to do – Rivington was never left to us with the intention to hack it down.”
In a letter to Donna Hall, Chorley Council’s chief executive, Mr Wayne has questioned why the plan was passed despite not falling within the council’s planning policy and having previously been deemed unsuitable by planning officers.
But Chorley Council says that it complied with all rules when making the decision in July.
Jane Meek, the council’s corporate director of business, said: "We are aware that some residents are frustrated with the Go Ape project and we have been in contact with them to discuss their concerns.
“I would like to assure everyone that the council takes delegated powers very seriously and we have complied with all rules, regulations and guidelines on this planning application.” Work is already well underway on the site, which is due to open to the public next spring.
* Should the application have been passed? Comment below with your views
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