THE bosses of a company behind a controversial tree top adventure course have agreed to plant new trees, after chopping down healthy specimens without permission.

Go Ape chiefs were granted planning permission for the zip wire course at Rivington by Chorley Council and work has begun on the site.

Permission was granted on the grounds that three trees would be felled — but so far 21 have come down. That has angered a campaign group set up to oppose the plans, The Friends of Lever Park, who now believe more trees will be chopped down.

They have previously criticised Chorley Council for their handling of the planning application and yesterday launched a fresh attack.

Group chairman, Bob Dootson, said: “Those trees have been growing for a 100 years and planting saplings to replace them is not good enough, they should not have been taken down without permission.

“We have looked at the site and believe another 40 trees will have to come down to complete the zip wire course.

“If I took a chainsaw and started cutting trees down I wonder how long it will take until I am taken to court. If this had been handled correctly in the first place we would not have an argument.”

The decision to grant permission for the Go Ape plans was made under delegated powers, which means the public were not consulted and did not have the opportunity to object.

Chorley Council’s Chief Executive, Donna Hall, said: “A total of 21 trees have been felled. Three of these needed to be removed due to the route of the course and a further 13 trees were taken down due to their poor health.

“Go Ape have felled five trees without permission and they have agreed to replace these on a three-to-one basis, which we have accepted.

“We have met with United Utilities and other interested parties to consider the most appropriate locations for the replacement trees.

“Should Go Ape need to fell anymore trees they will have to consult Chorley Council before any work is carried out.”

A spokesman for Go Ape said: “Go Ape works closely with local planning authorities and woodland managers to ensure that the impact of its courses on woodland areas is minimised at all times.

“The tree works at this particular site should be seen in the wider context of United Utilities forest management programme which we understand will include the planting this year of around 50,000 new trees to the woods.”