Disabled walkway would spoil area

A proposal to put an elevated walkway through the trees at Symonds Yat Rock in the Forest of Dean have been rejected by planners. The Forestry Commission has been told the scheme is too visually intrusive to be acceptable in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

The walkway was designed to give disabled people better access to the famous view point. It was to have been two metres wide, spanning a 60 metre distance.

Opponents including the local parish council, English Bicknor, said it would be an eyesore and councillors on the planning committee agreed despite a recommendation from the head of planning that the scheme should go ahead.

The commission says it will now try to find a way to meet concerns while still improving all ability access to the rock.