Go Ape protester may go to judicial review (From Daily Echo)

Neighbour speaking to lawyers about Itchen Valley Country Park plans

6:30am Thursday 17th December 2009 in News

PLANS for a controversial high-wire adventure course in a Hampshire country park may have to survive a judicial review.

Lower Itchen Fishery owner, Lyndsey Farmiloe, is on the verge of taking legal action because she believes there should have been an investigation into how the Go Ape attraction will affect her business.

Councillors on Eastleigh council’s Hedge End,West End & Botley local area committee voted nine to two in favour of the proposal for Itchen Valley Country Park on Monday night after a heated five-hour debate.

That decision is likely to be rubber-stamped at a full planning meeting of the Liberal Democrat- dominated council.

Ms Farmiloe’s business sits just 30 metres away from the proposed location of Go Ape. She believes that the noise generated will put off anglers.

She will meet with her solicitor tomorrow (Friday) to discuss her options.

“We’re very unhappy with the way it has been conducted,” she said. “Our concerns have not been listened to, our amenity has not been considered sufficiently, the councillors have no idea about fishing and don’t bother to find out.

“Based on that and the evidence put to the council, which they chose to ignore, we have to look seriously at a judicial review.”

The Friends of Itchen Valley Country Park, led by Margaret Raff, said they were unlikely to contest the decision aside from a formal complaint to the borough council that was submitted last week.

Eastleigh Borough Council did not wish to comment on a judicial review until any formal proceedings were made.

Speaking about the decision to approve the plans, council leader, Keith House, said: “This is an exciting proposal to provide a terrific adventure and fitness activity to attract more people to the park.”