By Nick Griffiths

Last updated at 15:03, Friday, 09 September 2011

A firm that wanted to run the longest zip wire in the northern hemisphere in Cumbria has called for a planning shake-up after the idea was thrown out.

Ellis Butcher

A representative of Honister Slate Mine, the last of its kind in England, said there should be more younger people represented among the decision makers after its hopes were dashed.

Proposals to run a 1,200m recreational zip wire from a mountain were rejected by Lake District planners this week. There had been 476 letters and an 11,500-strong petition in support of the scheme – which would have been in memory of the firm’s late owner Mark Weir, who died in a helicopter crash in March.

There were also 255 letters of objection. Opposition came from organisations including Natural England, the Campaign for National Parks, Friends of the Lake District and the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England. The plan was intended to boost business, create six jobs and lure younger tourists seeking a high-adrenaline adventure experience to Cumbria.

It was also claimed “the noise, speed, altitude and appearance of participants” would harm “the qualities of remoteness, tranquility and wildness” for some.

The 14 members of the Lake District National Park Authority’s development control committee voted nine to five against the plan at their headquarters in Kendal on Wednesday.

The firm initially said closure could not be ruled out, but a spokesman later added it was “determined to stay and remain open” and would “let the dust settle” before examining its options.

The mine’s spokesman, Ellis Butcher, called for a revamp of the committee.

He said: “You can’t have, with the greatest respect, groups of retirees making decisions about what young people want from the Lake District. It’s like asking the Women’s Institute what they think of gangsta rap.”

Mr Butcher claimed the committee should include some people under 30.

The zip wire was intended to run from a part of Fleetwith Pike, known as Black Star, to the existing mine complex. Mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington spoke in favour of the plan.

Joe Crowther, representing Buttermere and Borrowdale parish councils, said more traffic would make the roads “even more dangerous” for cyclists and runners.

But Bill Jefferson, chairman of the authority, asked panel members: “Do you want to kill the Lake District dead? Do you want to preside over a mausoleum where humans can no longer shout?”

First published at 14:13, Friday, 09 September 2011
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk