THE company behind an assault course planned for a Glasgow park has pulled out of all talks with a protest group - after staff were sent threatening letters.
THE company behind an assault course planned for a Glasgow park has pulled out of all talks with a protest group - after staff were sent threatening letters.
In a strongly-worded letter, Go Ape tells leaders of Save Pollok Park it is no longer a credible negotiating partner.
And while it accepts the protest group may not have been directly responsible for vandalism or threats to staff, it accuses them of whipping up hysteria which has sparked an "extreme response".
The shock attack on the campaigners comes weeks after Go Ape, which is based in Suffolk, was given the go-ahead to create an adventure playground in the treetops of Pollok Park on the South Side.
Protesters say it will shatter the peace and tranquillity of the area as well as putting pressure on park facilities.
Save Pollok Park is due to hold another public meeting tonight despite the fact the development now has planning permission - and the go-ahead by the Scottish Government.
As well as the threatening letters sent to staff - the contents of which have not been disclosed - Go Ape refers to vandalism at its course in Aberfoyle which caused potentially fatal damage and sparked a police investigation.
The letter from Go Ape, passed to the Evening Times, reads: "During the early stages of the planning process we offered to discuss with the main spokespeople of Save Pollok Park changes to the plan, including the feasibility of moving the proposed course to another area of the park.
"Those that led the Save Pollok Park campaign chose not to enter into these discussions and told us nothing in Pollok Park was acceptable.
"Since then threatening letters have been sent to the home addresses of Go Ape staff and serious criminal damage has been caused to our course at Aberfoyle.
"Those responsible for this criminal damage may or may not have been directly linked to Save Pollok Park, however there is no doubt the hysteria whipped up by the mis-information and aggressive tone of the leadership of the Save Pollok Park campaign has encouraged this extreme response."
Save Pollok Park has always insisted it has nothing to do with vandalism attacks at Aberfoyle.
The group has condemned vandals who wrecked the Aberfoyle Go Ape course in September.
But in the letter from Go Ape, bosses say: "The attempt by the leadership of Save Pollok Park to distance themselves from these acts does not absolve them from their responsibility. Because of this, regrettably, we feel this leadership is no longer a credible negotiating partner for Go Ape."
It says it will continue to hold talks with the National Trust for Scotland and other community groups.
THE GO APE! LETTER IN FULLDear SirsGo Ape! has always said that it would be led by the local democratic process in our planning application for a high ropes course at Pollok Park. We are pleased that our proposal has now been approved not only by the planning authorities in Glasgow but also by the Scottish Government. The proposal for Pollok Park has had a huge amount of publicity over the last few months. Everybody has had an opportunity to be heard and for their views to be considered by the relevant officials and elected members. We know that this is not the same as everyone agreeing with the outcome. As you are aware, during the early stages of the planning process we offered to discuss with the main spokespeople of Save Pollok Park changes to the plan, including the feasibility of moving the proposed course to another area of the park. Those that led the Save Pollok Park campaign chose not to enter into these discussions and told us that nothing in Pollok Park was acceptable. As a result we are now committed to the area for which planning permission has been granted. Since then threatening letters have been sent to the home addresses of Go Ape! staff and serious criminal damaged has been caused to our course at Aberfoyle on two occasions, with zip wires being cut down and even being partially sawn through, making a potentially lethal trap for our customers and staff. Those responsible for this criminal damage may or may not have been directly linked to Save Pollok Park, however there is no doubt that the hysteria whipped up by the mis-information and aggressive tone of the leadership of the Save Pollok Park campaign has encouraged this extreme response. The attempt by the leadership of Save Pollok Park to distance themselves from these acts does not absolve them from their responsibility. Because of this, regrettably, we feel that this leadership is no longer a credible negotiating partner for Go Ape! However, we recognise that there remain concerns about the proposals within the broader community. We are in constructive dialogue with credible partners including the National Trust for Scotland and other local community groups. We are confident that these discussions will enable us to address some of the remaining concerns whilst still providing a great new activity for all the people of Glasgow. Yours sincerely |
