One Bexley councillor wildly inferred the rope course could attract gangs of youths who behead animals while child abduction had been a concern raised in a written objection
A Go Ape course will be built in woodland within a Bexley park despite local opposition including fears of animal beheadings and child abduction.
A large group of residents packed Bexley Council chamber’s public gallery last night (June 11) to make their opposition known to the Planning Committee. Members voted to approve Go Ape’s proposal for Danson Park which was met with shouts and groans from the gallery.
While the vast majority of people had shared ordinary concerns around increased noise and litter in a wildlife habitat and quiet park, some cited worries about child abduction and pets potentially being killed.
One councillor told his fellow members “shame on you” after the approval was announced, and another raised concerns that the rope course could attract gangs of youths, some of whom he claimed had beheaded the borough’s cats.
Committee Chair Cllr Kurtis Christoforides had to ask members of the public to stop shouting and interrupting proceedings during the meeting so that the committee could do its job. He said: “Officers are doing a job and it is simply not acceptable for them to be barracked from the public gallery.”
Speaking against the application, Bexley resident Artem Gromov said: “I’m here because Danson Park is not just a piece of land on a planning map. It’s a rare and precious green space in the heart of our borough, a place of nature, tranquillity, recreation and community.
“It is somewhere families can spend time together, where people can walk, sit, exercise and enjoy a break from the pressures of everyday life and improve their mental health. Once it’s changed, the impact cannot be undone.”
Mr Gromov also highlighted the public opposition to the Go Ape scheme, reminding the committee that nearly 650 objections were lodged and over 2,000 people signed the ‘Stop Go Ape in Danson Park’ petition.
He added: “I ask you to look beyond policy of wording and listen to what is before you, a community asking to protect an area in an irreplaceable space. This is not a position to change. It’s a plea to save this much loved public space that belongs to everyone.
“Danson Park should not be carved up for commercial use. It should remain a place of peace, nature and public value.”
Those opposed to the project raised concerns around parking, noise, the impact on trees and wildlife, harm to the heritage status of the Grade II listed park, the potential for increased antisocial behaviour and the commercialisation of public green space. Whenever someone spoke in opposition, the public gallery would erupt in applause once they’d finished.
Cllr Andrew Curtois spoke on behalf of his husband Cllr David Curtois in objection to the plans. He informed the committee that they lived within the grounds of Danson Park.
Cllr Curtois said: “The residents of Bexley are not objecting to adventure. They’re objecting to the commercialisation of one of our most precious and our most protected public assets.”
The Conservative councillor for Sidcup said the council could not lawfully approve the proposal because it would allow building on ancient woodland, a designation of habitat that has strong planning protections. Council officers said no ancient woodland trees were found on the site.
Daniel Stafford, Estate Development Manager at Go Ape, spoke in support of the application at the meeting. He had to ask the committee chair if members of the public gallery could give him the “same respect” they gave to other speakers.
Mr Stafford said Go Ape had a “proven track record” of working in parks and on public land and delivering benefits to the local community. He said Go Ape looks after its trees through a programme of inspections and maintenance to “ensure they stay as healthy as possible throughout the lifetime of the development”.
Mr Stafford said the Go Ape course would provide 18 to 30 part-time roles, primarily aimed at young people. He said these young people would benefit from the company’s training programme which would help set them up for their future careers.
He also said Go Ape’s presence in the park woodland would help to reduce antisocial behaviour due to staff being onsite “policing” the area.
Following submissions from speakers, the application went up for debate among committee members. Cllr Oscar Harrison said it was “extremely disappointing” to read negative online comments about committee members ahead of the meeting.
He didn’t accept that the Go Ape plans meant that Danson Park would be commercialised. Cllr Harrison said it was already a “highly commercialised park” due to the presence of pedalos for hire on its boating lake, the Danson Stables pub, park kiosks and the monthly Danson House Producers Market. He did, however, share objectors’ concerns around trees and noise.
Cllr Barry Saunders felt antisocial behaviour in the park could become an issue. He said: “We have many groups of youths coming from out of the borough into our borough, into our town causing problems as it is. With this, is it going to cause even more problems for us?”
Cllr Saunders stated that “some of our youths are not nice youths” and even suggested gangs of young people had beheaded Bexley cats. Ahead of the meeting one objection had also included concerns that the course could increase the risk of child abduction.
Cllr Terry Barcock was concerned that the committee did not yet know the amount of trees that would be felled as part of the proposal. He said: “We do need to bear in mind that even if those trees are replaced, we’re talking 75 years plus to get back to what we have today.”
Despite the vocal opposition and four committee members voting against the scheme, Bexley Council’s Planning Committee voted to approve the proposal, much to the chagrin of the packed public gallery.
Following the approval, Cllrs Andrew and David Curtois approached members of the committee to voice their disdain at the decision. One of the pair reportedly shouted “shame on you” at those that voted in favour of the Go Ape plans.
A Bexley Council spokesperson said: “Last night, the Planning Committee considered and approved Go Ape’s planning application to create a family attraction in Danson Park.
“This was a regulatory decision which considered all views expressed and the application’s compliance with planning policies. Bexley Council is committed to attracting investment to Danson Park to bring more activities for all ages to the area and to keep the park green and well-maintained.
“Danson Park is already home to several water sports, a playground, a splash park, tennis courts, football pitches, and several businesses.
“Now that the application is approved, Bexley Council will engage with the company to deliver this new facility and secure the best deal on behalf of residents.”
Got a story? email [email protected]
Don’t miss out on the biggest local stories. Sign up to our MySouthLondon newsletter HERE for all the latest daily news and more.
