MORE than 2,000 emails and letters have been written in response to a controversial application that would see eight zip wires run over a Lake District beauty spot.

The deadline to submit views to the Lake District National Park Authority about plans to create a Thirlmere Activity Hub was last Friday (January 12).

Submitted by Windermere-based Treetop Trek, the plans also include a series of improvements to the cycleway which runs round the reservoir.

There has been vocal opposition to the plans from high profile figures and national bodies, including the Friends of the Lake District, the British Mountaineering Council, the National Trust, actress Caroline Quentin and filmmaker Terry Abraham.

And the John Muir Trust, which manages the neighbouring Glenridding Common, has added its objections to the controversial proposal.

“We are concerned this development could have a negative impact on the landscape and the sense of tranquillity in this part of the Lake District," said Mel Nicoll, campaigns co-ordinator for the trust. "We are also concerned that it is conflict with the Sandford Principle, which states that conservation must have priority in the national parks.

“We are not opposed in principle to zip wires, but we would contend that there are alternative sites and believe there is no over-riding need for this development in this special landscape."

And Lake Parish Council echoed the trust's comments in a written objection, also citing the Sandford Principle as reason for its opposition.

An email sent to the LDNPA by clerk Michael Johnson said: "If this application is approved, then it will create a precedent for other significant tourist schemes within the Lake District that may have a detrimental effect on its recent World Heritage designation."

However, the application has also received support from Cumbria Tourism, Cumbria's Chamber of Commerce and The Lake District Park Partnership Business Task Force.

And Treetop Trek has said the activity hub would create 53 local jobs, generate an extra £600,000 spend in the local economy annually, £1.3m in direct gross value added annually, £3m of capital spent on a 'low carbon, low impact' scheme with a predicted growth in visitors of an extra 127,000 annually.

Mike Turner, managing director of Treetop Trek said: "This scheme will produce a world class, year round, visitor attraction that is fully disabled accessible, that will attract new, and especially younger, visitors to the Lake District. It has little to no environmental impact, as attested by Natural England’s formal response, indeed it helps to accelerate the agreed conservation plans for the area in removing non-native fir trees and restoring native trees and ground flora."

"This scheme is designed around the purposes of the national park and we believe this project, and the wider Adventure Capital agenda, will help to engage and attract the widest possible audience both now and in the future," said Mr Turner. "It’s an excellent example of sustainable development in action.

"It has such a negligible impact on the environment, evidenced by the statutory responses, we can’t help but wonder why the Sandford Principle keeps being referred to? This is clearly not an environmental debate. Those who object to the scheme, shown to be the minority in three public poles, don’t like the idea of the zip line. It’s a matter of taste. But for those who do like the idea, overwhelmingly large numbers of younger people, this scheme is not just about the economics of competing with other destinations, it is also about ensuring that the national park stays relevant to all sectors of society and specifically all ages.

"This is just about broadening the range of attractions and activities and dispersing those visitors better across the county. This is about ensuring that the Lake District is the adventure capital of the UK, has a year round world class visitor offer and inspires the next generation to fall in love with this beautiful place."

At the time of its last update on January 12, the LDNPA had received 2,368 emails and letters. It will update this number and ascertain the split

between those in favour and against, assess all of the available information in line with planning policy and considerations, commence drafting a committee report and provide an update no later than January 24.

The earliest the Development Control Committee would be able to discuss the application is February 7.