ADVENTURE company Treetop Trek is on the hunt for a Lake District location to install a new zip wire attraction.

The Brockhole-based firm has obtained pre-planning advice from the Lake District National Park Authority about Greenside Mine at Glenridding, which is ‘one of several sites’ it is considering.

More than 100 residents packed into Glenridding Village Hall on Monday night for a public meeting about the contentious issue.

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Many expressed concerns about a zip wire disturbing the ‘peace and tranquillity’ of the valley by bringing extra noise and traffic.

Mike Turner, Managing Director of Treetop Trek, which currently runs three parallel 250m zip wires at Windermere, said the scheme was at an early stage but Glenridding was ‘an option’.

“We want to create a world class family attraction which attracts high spending tourists and benefits the area,” he said.

“In my opinion the Lake District is still short of a number of attractions and we’ve identified a commercial opportunity for a product of this nature.

“I don’t believe a zip wire to be detrimental to the National Park but I recognise that some people do.”

The attraction at Brockhole has pulled in more than 90,000 participants since it opened in 2012, and attracts up to 200 a day in mid-season.

But several villagers said that Glenridding and Brockhole were ‘completely different places’.

“For the number of people you attract, how many would also be put off visiting here if it became noisier and busier,” asked one.

Another said: “I wouldn’t like the whole world driving past our cottages - it completely changes the outlook of the area.”

Some locals expressed concerns about a subsequent ‘creep’ of similar developments.

Resident Rob Shephard said: “If it does happen it means you’ve set a precedent for this type of activity.”

Another said that increased traffic would mean the area losing business from fellwalkers, who would start to ‘go elsewhere’.

And another added: “At Brockhole I’ve heard people screaming during the whole 250m – as well as mechanical noise we’d get noise from people, which would be horrendous.”

But some expressed support for the idea, with one saying, “I think it would be an exciting innovation for the area.”

Another said: “If the proper process is followed and done with sensitivity I think it would be a great thing for the valley.

“We’re not on the magical A591 so it would help us bring more tourists in.”

The meeting was organised by Patterdale Parish Council in response to concerns from residents.

Chair Pat Stavropoulos said: “At the moment we are just fact finding and we want to hear from as many people as possible.”

Mr Turner assured attendees that a full consultation will be held of Treetop Trek does decide to put in a planning application.

He added: “There is no way we would try to propose a scheme of this nature without full public support – it would be foolhardy at best.”