Tree-top walkway for Walton Hall Gardens

DARE-devil visitors to Warrington’s Walton Hall Gardens will soon be able look down on the gardens from a rope walkway through the trees.
The borough council’s development management committee has approved plans for a high ropes course close to the popular children’s zoo.
A log cabin has also been approved as part of the visitor attraction.
The scheme was recommended for approval by council planning officers.
They said although the site is in the Green Belt, the scheme is acceptable and will have little impact on the Grade 2 Listed Walton Hall. The principle of commercial activity within the Walton estate is acceptable.
There will also be little impact on the woodland and ecology of the gardens..
Members of the committee were told d the proposal will consist of a metal cabin, clad in heat-treated timber to resemble a log cabin
The high rope course through the trees will be fenced off for safety and will vary in height from one metre to six metres. The course will have three different difficulty levels.
There was one objection from a neighbouring property concerned about the impact on ecology, overlooking, increased noise, erosion of the buffer and increased vandalism.
The facility will occupy an area of 1000 square metres of woodland.
Although the site is owned by the borough council, a commercial firm will operate the attraction.