Tamar Valley zip wire plans turned down

The zip wire attraction was planned for the Tamar Trails, part of an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty, on the Devon and Cornwall border

Plans to create a new tourist attraction within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty featuring a series of zip wires have been rejected by planners.

West Devon Borough Council turned down the application for the Tree Top Explorer at the Tamar Trails at Gulworthy, on the border of Devon and Cornwall, saying it would have a negative impact on an environmentally sensitive area, including the loss of trees.

The plan by Zip World included four separate "ride routes", extending to a total of 400m (1312ft), connected by a series of tree-mounted walkways.

In its decision on 6 November the council said whilst the plan would bring economic and tourism benefits, these did not outweigh the harm to the environment and tranquillity of the Tamar Valley.

'Thinning of trees'

Tamar Trails currently houses a Tree Surfers course with walkways and zip wires, as well as being a popular route for walking and horse riding.

Zip World unveiled the £2 million plan for the new treetop attraction last year after withdrawing a scheme for a toboggan ride through the ancient woodland.

It also sought permission to create 95 additional car parking spaces and two coach parking spaces at the site.

In its application the company said some trees would be felled to make way for the zip wire route but would be replaced with new native species.

At the time, heritage consultant for the project Rob Kinchin-Smith told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the company had a good track record of installing environmentally sensitive schemes in protected areas.

He said the zip rail would be situated between the two current tree adventure courses and would enhance the experience of people coming to visit.

“There will be a limited amount of thinning of plantation trees and the rails will be under the canopy of the trees so will not be visible from a distance,” he said.

Increased visitor trips

The planning application received dozens of formal objections from dog walkers, horse riders and others concerned about the affect on the Tamar Valley Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Rejecting the application, the council said the developer had failed to demonstrate the proposal "conserves, protects and enhances the landscape and scenic beauty of the Tamar Valley National Landscape".

It said: "The application would result in significantly increased visitor trips to an unsustainable rural location with limited opportunities for sustainable and active travel.

"The character and nature of the proposed ride experience, intensity of use, associated noise effects and loss of trees would be detrimental to the conservation and enhancement of the Protected Landscape and its special features (with particular regard to tranquillity)."