THE time for talking is over.

Council chiefs are tonight set to approve a plan for a tree-top assault course that has sparked huge debate across Hampshire.

Tonight’s decision comes after months of protest against a proposed Go Ape site at the Itchen Valley Country Park in West End, Southampton.

The plan would see thousands of Hampshire residents descending on the park to swing from tree tops, navigating tricky cargo nets and whizzing along zip wires.

Council officers have recommended that councillors sitting on the Hedge End, West End and Botley local area committee should approve the plans, provided they meet certain conditions.

The Go Ape protest earlier this year

Margaret Raff, from Friends of the Itchen Valley Country Park, who oppose the plans, said: “I think the best we can hope for is a deferment.

“The council has been on the side of Go Ape all along so there’s little hope of a victory for us on Monday, but in any event we have made a formal complaint to the council about the whole planning process.”

The Daily Echo revealed in July this year that Eastleigh Borough Council was in talks with the high wire specialists about a potential site.

Ben Davies, Business Development Manager for Go Ape, said: “We are excited at the prospect of opening a Go Ape at Itchen Valley Country Park and are looking forward to the opportunity to discuss its benefits in an open and informed debate.”

The committee, chaired by Councillor Rupert Kyrle, will meet at the Hedge End 2000 Centre in St John’s Road at 7pm.