Go Ape adventure course protesters meet MPs
5:10pm Thursday 30th October 2008 in Search Module By Staff Reporter
BOLTON West MP Ruth Kelly has met residents who are fighting plans to open an adventure course in Lever Park near Horwich.
Friends of Lever Park say the Go Ape development breaks the 106-year-old Liverpool Corporation Act, which protects people’s right to have “free and uninterupted enjoyment” in open spaces because it is a commercial enterprise.
Ms Kelly and Labour MP Lindsey Hoyle have met the group’s chairman Bob Dooton, who told them Go Ape’s planning application should have been debated by a committee of Chorley councillors rather than approved by council officers under delegated powers. She said: “This is an issue raised with me by several constituents, and I am pleased to be able to have met them and Friends of Lever Park.
“I shall continue to liaise closely with Lindsay Hoyle to look into the provisions of legislation and see how these can be applied to this development.”
Mr Hoyle is set to raise the matter in the House of Commons to find out if the Act can be applied to Go Ape, which is due to open next spring.
Meanwhile, in a bid to attract new members the Friends will meet on Monday at Horwich Conservative Club, Church Street, at 8pm.
