Apalled of Blackrod

I've just watched the BBC4 documentary on the proposed zip wire development at Honister. How could such an horrendous proposal get as far as this?

The programme, and apparently the planning process, seemed to concentrate on the micro-impacts such as the squashing of of a tiny amount of the local flora, whilst surely the main point was the potential impact of the likely influx of the hooray Henrys (Henries?) who would move in and on without even passing the time of day with the local folk.

Wasdale has for some time been suffering from the influx of the "Three Peakers" who's only interest in the valley is as an access to one of their three objectives. Perhaps they might have liked to add the zip wire to their agenda, or even suggest Honister as an alternative midnight objective.

The planning application was a transparent attempt by Mark Weir to build on his burgeoning business empire (he travelled daily between Honister and his nearby farmhouse by helicopter) rather than offering wider access to the Lake District to those who might be missing out on its delights.

Tragically, Mark died in a helicopter accident just days before the planning hearing, but thankfully, the hearing remained objective and rejected his application.

I'll be speaking to Eric Robson next time I'm in the Bridge.

There is a God.