Discussion Wall
This is the place to discuss the proposal, ask questions, make comments, and generally tell us what you think.
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"I appoligize for these rude comments from maybe some "MY FELLOW LOCAL PEOPLE" i live at the bottom of moel famau, loggerheads side, ans from what local word of mouth is there are much more of us who are all for your new zip wire site, than there are against it. From what i have seen in your new Coed-Y-Brenin site it is incredible, you have not destroyed/desturbed any natural habbitats and have kept it natural. We are very much for you to set your new zip wire site on our mountain. And again i don't have a clue what others on about on this disscusion wall "if your against suppport our local community" Correction the majority of the true local community have and are giving these plans the thumbs up. Diolch, Callum Glass"
Posted by callum on 04 March 2010
"zip wild will wreck the views and countryside of the clwydian vales and would only be popular when new
LEAVE OUR COUNTRYSIDE ALONE"
Posted by ryan on 03 March 2010
"1. All reports, surveys and assessments commissioned by you are therefore bought and paid for by you and will hardly be independent, will they? More like rent-an-opinion!
2. 60 people an hour is still not a proven 20 cars; do all people get together beforehand and decide to come in one shared car? Somehow, I doubt that. Most friends/colleagues going out somewhere all travel separately as they do not always live remotely near each other. So pushing the idea of 20 cars is rather disingenuous. It is a best case scenario and NOT realistic at all.
3. How would the staff at Go Ape like to have endless extra traffic/noise/inconvenience/dirt etc etc let alone the very real safety issues all trundling past their doors 12 hrs a day for 8 months of the year??????? No, thought not.....
4. Now admit that this site is not suitable on many levels and GO AWAY. It is deplorable that you can cause this amount of worry and upset to so many people whose daily lives will be blighted by this, should it go ahead. It is all about MAKING MONEY AT ANY ONE ELSE'S EXPENSE. The deal you have with the Forestry Commission should be suspended as it is seemingly exploiting loopholes to further your profits at the taxpayers' expense.
5. Just who do you think you are to disturb the very quality of life and leisure for so many people? These comments are overwhelmingly against you - how big a hint does it take exactly to make you drop this????? Oh, sorry - profits first, second AND third. You will ruin this area, and do not think otherwise. SHAME ON YOU!!!!"
Posted by Sarah on 03 March 2010
"Well I must say that I admire your responses Go Ape - you really should use your skills of spin on a wider stage.
A glorious example of box ticking methinks. You allow us the opportunity to express our concerns but I feel that you are not listening to the fears.
Concerns about increased levels of traffic on a narrow lane? We'll undertake a road/traffic survey.
Concerns about the effects on local wildlife? We'll undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment.
Concerns about increase in noise? We'll undertake a noise assessment........
It would be very interesting if you could provide a link that gave a brief overview to the methodologies to these reports. The noise assessment, how is this undertaken? Do you get people to scream under different weather conditions?!!
The EIA. Did you decide to do it as a precautionary/mitigating measure or were you asked to do it by an organisation such as the forestry, Denbighshire and/or CCW? and for how long will it be undertaken? I believe nightjarrs come back in May/june. Will the area be checked then?
I'm certain that this will get the go ahead regardless of what your assessments/surveys bring to light anyway. I've been tld that strictly speaking, this proposal does not need planning permission per say as the forestry are exempt from this process, perhaps you could clarify this point?
The biggest single fear that locals and users of the forest have is that the most fundamentally important special quality of the area will be forever lost.
That is tranquility.
For all your reports, assessments and surveys, this fact cannot be disputed - I challenge you to do so.
That is the draw, the attraction that pulls people here, that gives the forest users a sense of ownership. Solitude, tranquility and an opportunity to stand and stare.
Get the carving knife forestry commission, see whats inside this special goose."
Posted by Dawn on 03 March 2010
"All assessments/surveys etc will form part of the planning application, which will be public. We will also make them available here (under the Planning Application tab). All methodologies etc will be included in them. We always carry out an EIA, as it is the sensible thing to do, and most planning authorities would like to see one included. The noise assessment is being undertaken to address specific concerns raised to us.
We absolutely do need to apply for Planning. The Forestry Commission used to have Crown Exemption for some planning, but this is no longer the case. "
Posted by Zip Wild on 04 March 2010
"A number of folks have mentioned the idea of a facility at Llandegla .The simple fact is that planning has already been granted for a course at Llandegla and im sure GoApe are fully aware of this, they just dont want folks to know because it isnt them .Dont bother posting on here send your thoughts to CCW and the Campaign for rural Wales and support the local community .Also join the Facebook group StopGoApe at Moel Famau for more information about whats going on.
Ian"
Posted by ian on 27 February 2010
"I cannot think of a worse way to use this area. Once these permanent structures are established, along with their infrastructure, access routes, and the other requirements of this "attraction" they will change the nature of the mountain for ever.
Many off these projects they are only appealing for a short periode of time. After a while the attracktion will be used less and less and will need external funding to keep going. Is the local taxpayer going to subsidize this idea?
Colomendy Activity Centre opposite the Maul Famau has an outdoor facility complete with zipwire. Use this facility!!! Why create more facilities within 2 miles??"
Posted by Frits on 26 February 2010
"This project will never need public funding. It can be removed completely very easily. Quite the opposite, there will be a net financial gain to the public purse, as we will be paying rent to the Forestry Commission.
"
Posted by Zip Wild on 04 March 2010
"I have been to a few Go Apes now and this zipwire experience sounds even better! I'd not heard of Moel Famau before this consultation, but just Googled it. It's not a part of the country I have been to before, but will definitely be heading over there at some point to experience the zip wire if/when it goes ahead. We are avid campers and would probably make a week of it. We were actually going to go to France for a similar experience, but if there is one going in in the UK even better! Best of luck with the planning application, hope the local people appreciate what an attraction this will be and what a great opportunity to experience the countryside in a new way."
Posted by Amy on 26 February 2010
""It is so important to us to create something special. If we can do that, it doesn't matter where it is."
Firstly nature has already created something very special - its called Moel Famau and more particularly Cwm Bach and the second sentence of your quote says it all."
Posted by gill on 25 February 2010
"To clarify, the context of the quote was in specific reply to a comment about us trading on the name Moel Famau. The point is that we are not looking at Moel Famau because of its name or reputation. The quote should only be taken in that context. "
Posted by Zip Wild on 26 February 2010
"I understand you have a good relationship with the forestry commission and I believe this to be a 26 year contract where you both stand to gain a lot of money at the expense of those poor people living in the area.
I see that you have mentioned in one of your posts that the reason for choosing to locate this business at Moel Famau is due to the topography, however, I’m sure your decision surely is based upon the fact that you can trade on the name Moel Famau and its popularity with walkers, horse riders & many families who come for a low cost day out to enjoy the peace and tranquillity??
I hope the Local Council, Countryside Council for Wales and AONB have the commitment and best interests of the local community to stand against you.
"
Posted by Pat on 25 February 2010
"We can only repeat that it is about the topography. The fact that it is at Moel Famau will not get people to book on. That it is a great experience will. We are trading on our product, not the name Moel Famau.
It is so important to us to create something special. If we can do that, it doesn't matter where it is. The natural topography at this venue is perfect for what we have in mind.
"
Posted by Zip Wild on 25 February 2010
"I live in the valley and I can ASSURE YOU that noise carries like no other place I have ever been. Currently it is silent except for the birds and the walkers (who do not scream at the top of their voices when having fun) I invite Go Ape to my back garden, look me in the eye and tell me that the noise will not be an issue for me."
Posted by P on 25 February 2010
"Until we get the results of a noise assessment, we are unable to comment on the noise impact on any specific location. Anything else would be speculation on our part. We have taken on board concerns relating to noise, which is why we have commissioned this assessment so that we can present the facts to you and the planning authority. Sorry we can't be any more specific at this point.
Please be assured, we are not avoiding the issue, but gathering evidence for us to be able to engage in an informed debate. "
Posted by Zip Wild on 25 February 2010
