AN EXCITING new attraction for fun-seekers which could boost tourism and business in the Lake District has been given the green light.

Go Ape’s scheme to build a zip wire trekking course within Grizedale Forest at Hawkshead was unanimously approved by members of the Lake District National Park’s development control committee today (Wednesday).

It will give adventurous types the chance to ‘fly’ down seven wires, varying from 168m to 440m long, forming an almost continuous descent through the forest, which already boasts a high ropes course and mountain biking courses, plus the opportunity to enjoy a gentle stroll amid the trees.

Ben Davies, business development manager at Go Ape, said: “I’m over the moon. It is an exciting project.

"I was pleased with the response of councillors when they came up to look at the site - on paper it is difficult to get your head round but when they saw it, they agreed it was a positive development. To get unanimous approval was fantastic.”

The course will accomodate up to 20 participants every 20 minutes, and will take roughly two hours to complete.

During the meeting, Mr Davies said: “Go Ape is all about creating adventures and the course creates a naturally thrilling expereince that allows people to enjoy Grizedale Forest in a new and exciting way.

“It will give people a reason to leave their Playstations and TVs at home. It will benefit the economy and will employ an additional 10 people. Our customers will spend in the local area on accomodation, restaurants and so on.”

People will be transported to and from the attraction via minibus, and Coun Judith Cooke raised concerns over the use of petrol vehicles as opposed to electric-powered ones.

Mr Davies said: “We are investigating electric minibuses. We don’t want to spend £100,000 on one now which may not work, so we would start off with petrol minibuses but want to work towards using electric ones.”

LDNPA planning officers were satisfied that any visual impact would be minimal and limited to brief glimpses of people on the zip wires.

Satterthwaite Parish Council raised concerns about it being ‘unnecessarily obtrusive’.

The parish council also objected to the plan because of its impact on other forest users.

But Dave Lowe, of the Forestry Commission, said: “Go Ape uses 15 per cent of the forest - there is a lot of space for people to enjoy other recreation activities.”

The attraction could be open by next Easter.