The Friends of Lever Park » horwich

Golden opportunity missed

philjay — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 23:50:14 +0000

You may be aware that Horwich councillor Stephen Rock was due to attend a meeting of The Rivington Heritage Trust yesterday. We have heard that he was unable to attend due to illness. We wish Stephen a speedy recovery and lament the lost opportunity for Stephen to represent FLP at what may have been an important meeting.
Meanwhile I have trawled the forums of both Bolton news and Save Pollock Park only to be saddened by the level of support displayed for Go Ape, not that it is extensive, but for the reasons why. It would appear the the general concensus seems to be that ‘our children’ are unable to enjoy the countryside and all it has to offer without amenities like Go Ape, regardless of their prohibitive cost. I’ll say it again. This is not a campaign against Go Ape it is a campaign to prevent the powers that be from abusing their power and enforcing implementations that are against the spirit of Lever Park. Yes United Utilities, times have changed, and fashions come and go (remember theme pubs). You have instigated the felling of 21 mature trees (some maybe 100yrs old). When Go Ape fades from fashion as it surely will, where are the trees. To conclude It would not surprise me at all if the majority of people who object to our campaign rarely if ever frequent Lever Park, if that be the case, why should the park be altered to encourage them to visit. MONEY

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More from Horwich Councillors…

philjay — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:00:55 +0000

I have taken advantage tonight of attending the monthly surgery of Horwich councillors. Stephen Rock was the only one in attendance and apart from one other, I had his undivided attention for the best part of an hour. Whilst I found him attentive, I was surprised how little he knew about our campaign. ‘He does now’. He implied that there was no dialogue between Horwich and Chorley councillors at the moment on this matter, however a request had been issued to them and they were still awaiting a reply. He informed me that he was attending a meeting of the Rivington Heritage Trust tomorrow, Wednesday 8th at which he expected the Go Ape development to be on the agenda (I think a golden opportunity to voice an opinion in favour of our campaign, whether it will be taken remains to be seen).
On behalf of all involved, I have informed him that we are passionate about our cause and will not go away, we have a strong justification for revocation of the planning consent and are seeking as much publicity as we can possibly muster, and expect the full support of all Horwich councillors who have already voiced there opinion in our favour.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE to everyone we must keep up the momentum of this campaign. Emails, phone calls, letters, direct contact to councillors are so important. As Bob has said they can’t just ignore us if we keep badgering them. Show them we won’t go away whilst injustices like this exist. They are public servants, paid by you.

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Support from Local (Horwich) Councillors

David — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:28:27 +0000

A very prompt email response from Horwich councillors Barbara Ronson and Stephen Rock to my questions. From Barbara Ronson:

Thanks for getting in touch

I am already working with the “friends” – I have supplied them with Ombudsman forms to make a complaint about how the application was dealt with.

I have contacted the Planning Department at Bolton to try to find out exactly how Chorley reached their decision and also to query why Horwich Town Council and Bolton Council were not consulted on an issue which affects our residents and our roads

Many people appear to have been mislead about ‘Go Ape’ and lead to believe that it is some kind of children’s playground. As I am familiar with ‘Go Ape’ at Grizedale and Whinlatter – I am trying to get the word around about this. My objections have already been reported in the Bolton News and I have been fielding a number of queries – some from people who thought Horwich and Bolton have passed it.

It is difficult to know what else we can do – when a planning application has been approved there is no third party right of appeal – but I think it is essential that those who made this decision are held accountable.

regards – Barbara Ronson

The other two Horwich councillors (Steve Rock and Robert Ronson) have also responded positively.

Steve Rock says:

Hi David
I agree with your comments and I asked that Horwich council be consulted but this did not happen and the council at Bolton and Horwich only found out through my involvement with Rivington Heritage trust. I have stated along with Bob and Barbara and the rest of our group on the council that we did not feel it was appropriate to have this attraction in Rivington.
The planning authority that covers this area is Chorley as you have stated which gives we have no power over their applications! The next gem that UU are doing are creating bigger car parks and my concern which I have raised with them is whether they start charging which I am 100%
against. Unfortunately with GO APE I am afraid there is little any of us can do but I would be happy to give you any support I can on this issue
Regards
Steve Rock

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