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 am looking at this in a different manner - I am the lucky person who will look at these zip wires every day - By the way where the zip wires are going the area has been cleared of all trees-wide open space. I am not against anyone enjoying them selves and I appreciate that zip wire are here to make profit, but we have a large zip wire across the road which is for the children of Liverpool - who then take walks in the country side I am talking of groups of 20 - 30, chattering and laughing enjoying seeing the wildlife and walking right under the proposed zip wires. Night time we have the bikes going down the footpaths again people enjoying them selves. We have the walkers and the Ramblers again enjoying them selves - But when they have all gone home I walk around and collect the rubbish, I appreciate that not everyone drops rubbish but increase the number of people and we all know what will happen - I have animals and rubbish containers are dangerous - I have people who walk down my land as they say "we have right " - I am the one who has to fence and then fix it, I am the one who has to catch animals when the gates are left open and I am the one who pays the vets bills. No I am not against anyone enjoying themselves but why should i have twice the work and bills so a complete stranger can come here and make a profit. I propose that if zip wire are going to go ahead then 24 hour security on the zip wires-litter picking staff are put in place thus giving more jobs to LOCAL people- free admission to Go Ape any location for residents- clear directions on all the roads into the area, - I do not expect that I will get a comment as Go- Ape didn't have the decency to even tell us that they were in the area. I appreciate everyone who puts a comment saying I went to Go Ape Zip Wire and had a great time - Not one put I walked outside my back door directly on to a Zip Wire and I put up with it every day "the noise of people enjoying themselves"..Think on!"
Posted by IAN on 24 February 2010
"Thank you for your comments. In answer to your specific concerns.
Visual/noise intrusion: If successful, the course will be contained within the valley. We will also be producing visuals of what the course will look like. Our experience tells us that the scale of the valley will mean that the impact will not be big. We will also be producing a noise impact assessment, that will tell us what will be heard from where.
Litter/people walking on your land: Ours is a well managed activity; The participants will be accompanied by an instructor so that they can't wander off, and our staff will be responsible for litter picking in the area. It is important to us that our environment is kept in great condition.
Security: Our course will be made secure while not in use.
Free Admission: While we are not currently in the position to offer free admission our local manager will (if we are successful) be in a position to develop these kind of offers. "
Posted by Zip Wild on 25 February 2010
"I have a question for Go Ape which I dont think has been answered previously but has been commented on many times. This is Why Moel Famau and not Llandegla where they already have conference facilities, excellent cafe a good road network? I'm sure this would be far less controversial than in an AONB."
Posted by P on 24 February 2010
"We have commented on this briefly, in reply to Mary on the 12th Feb. We have not taken this decision lightly, and we have weighed up numerous factors.
Firstly, we have a very good relationship with the Forestry Commission. This relationship allows us to contribute (over and above taxes etc) to the public purse. This contribution cannot be underestimated to the Commission, especially in the current fiscal climate. This is a long term, multi site relationship which when viewed wider than just Moel Famau results in a considerable contribution to the Commissions budget.
Moel Famau specifically has the perfect topography for our concept. The experience will be a better one in the proposed location. Also, Moel Famau is a country park and an existing hub.
"
Posted by Zip Wild on 25 February 2010
"What is coming over to me is that some people think this would be great and are prepared to travel to experience the Zip Wires but that the people who visit regularly or live here think it a terrible idea!
Rather than cause disturbance and distress to so many people, bearing mind that a considerable number of people actually live here and would have to cope with the effects of this development for 8 months of the year, 7 days a week up for up to 12 hours a day, why not seek out another site in a less populated and popular area now you are assured that people will travel? The Moel Famau area already is fortunate enough to attract hundreds of thousands of people annually so maybe somewhere else would welcome any benefits you might bring and leave Moel Famau to all the people who are perfectly happy with it the way it is.
"
Posted by Jane on 24 February 2010
"This proposal will totally change the appearance of Moel Fammau. At the moment it is a peaceful, beautiful, scenic place to go with unspoilt views of the surrounding countryside. I am afraid that hearing whoops and screams from the participants as they take part in the Go Ape facility would have a detrimental effect on the quiet, serene place that Moel Fammau presently is. "
Posted by Margaret on 24 February 2010
"I think its a great idea and I will certainly be visiting."
Posted by helen on 24 February 2010
"This proposal is not the usual Go Ape facility it is advertised as just being zip wires. These are to be above the trees at high level traversing the valley apparently so won't be absorbed into the forest neither will the associated noise. According to Go Ape's plans they will be extremely visual. The traffic is a major problem already with the area being at stretching point and this particular facility will need vehicles to transport people along forest tracks up to the site from the booking office. There must be alternative, non protected suitable locations for this activity surely."
Posted by gill on 23 February 2010
"I appreciate people's comments that the equipment blends in and how well managed the sites are, but why has such an unspoilt area been suggested? Surely there are alternative sites which would not have such an effect on the landscape/environment, for example Llandegla. Nobody walks in Llandegla hoping for a peaceful immersion in nature because of the swarms of mountainbikers - so Go Ape would not be detrimental to this area.
Hopefully Flintshire CC will have the same point of view!"
Posted by Daniel on 23 February 2010
"To clarify, the planning authority will be Denbighshire CC."
Posted by Zip Wild on 24 February 2010
"Our local GoApe is in the Trossachs in Scotland and I agree it blends in beautifully - even the sounds of people enjoying themselves seemed to be muted in the trees. I thoroughly enjoyed the long, long zip to and fro and would love to see more zips in beautiful locations. I gather that in South America you can travel all day on zip wires. Now that would be special...."
Posted by Freda on 23 February 2010
"I think the benefits will outwiegh the disadvantages of initial disruption. I have used the Go Ape sites in several locations in the UK and they are all well situated and sympathetically set out with little impact on the environment, in fact they "blend in " very well.They do not for example seem to bother people walking in places like Delamere Forest, there is little noise and a limit set on how many people can use the site at any one time. I think it would benefit the area in many ways in the long run. Some people are just so set in their outlook they are unable to move forward and accept anything new or different.
Sandy"
Posted by Sandy on 23 February 2010
"The jobs will be seasonal and part time, and the tourist cash will be offset by the number of people who look elsewhere for quiet walks. I have spoken to very many people walking in the area since this has been made public and without exception they have said they will go elsewhere - I would prefer no devil at all! "
Posted by P on 23 February 2010
