Whitford zorbing business given the green light

Aug 2 2012 by Eleanor Barlow, Flintshire Chronicle

A WHITFORD farm has been given permission to operate an adventure sport business for three years – despite opposition from horse riders.

Have You Got The Ball Ltd had been given temporary permission for zorbing – where thrill seekers are strapped inside an inflatable ball and rolled down a hill – last year and wanted permission to continue.

But at a meeting of Flintshire County Council’s planning committee last week horse rider Alison Chamberlain said the sport posed a risk to riders using the bridleway next to Bryn Coch Farm.

She said: “The mere fact it operates so close to the bridleway prevents ordinary use by ordinary riders because the activity is too dangerous.

“One rider has already been thrown adjacent to the launch pad on the site. How many more accidents does this community want?”

Council officers recommended approval of the site for three years with conditions that there would be an agreed management plan and days and times of opening would be restricted.

Applicant Richard Wootton asked councillors to grant permission for five years rather than three.

He said: “I am sure it will be easy for riders and rollers to happily co-exist. We can work together so both parties can be happy.”

Cllr Bob Hughes spoke on behalf of Whitford Community Council and said they had no objections to the plan.

Cllr Chris Bithell said: “I think the two particular activities can co-exist if they respect each other and each others’ needs.”

Councillors voted to approve the application for three years.