Go Ape workers face dog faeces and abuse in Trent Park (From Enfield Independent)

Go Ape workers face dog faeces and abuse in Trent Park

4:20pm Friday 20th January 2012 in News By David Hardiman, Reporter

WORKERS constructing a controversial adventure course in Trent Park have faced dog faeces being smeared on equipment and verbal abuse.

The Go Ape Tree Top Adventure scheme is a zip-wire and rope course between the trees in Trent Park close to Lime Tree Avenue, covering around four acres of the park.

The scheme was unanimously approved by Enfield Council’s planning committee last month, with only one objection being registered, but now campaigners say that consultation was inadequate want the decision reversed.

The council’s parks team confirmed that it had received reports of dog faeces being smeared on the handles of storage containers at the site in the first week of 2012, and people crossing construction safety lines and shouting abuse at staff, who have had to repeatedly halt work.

The True Friends of Trent Park, formed after the official Friends group backed the plan, said it “had nothing to do” with the incidents, adding: “We do not condone this type of behaviour.

“We cannot be held responsible for the actions of others.”

Campaigners argue that trees have been felled in the park by the company, but Go Ape and the council both confirmed that although some trees had been cut down near the site, this was because of ongoing forestry work and had no relation to the building work.

Go Ape’s business development manager Ben Davies expressed frustration that concerns about the development were emerging after the planning process.

He said: “I’ve absolutely no problem with people having their own opinions on this and they’re entitled to express them.

“We have consulted as much as we could and I’m not sure how we could have done more.”

He encouraged anyone with questions or more information to contact Go Ape at info@goape.co.uk The course will be the 28th adventure park the company has set up in the UK, with other locations offering mountain biking and Segway racing.

A protest march against the development is planned for 12pm tomorrow, with campaigners due to bring banners to show their opposition.