Assault course plan for the Chase

A £250,000 treetop assault course made up of a network of obstacles such as rope bridges, zip slides and trapezes could be created on Cannock Chase.

The Go Ape course, planned for land at Ladyhill Coppice, south east of Birches Valley Forest Centre, would be likely to attract daredevils from across the region wanting to try their hand at negotiating the ropes, nets and platforms high above the ground.

Adventure Forest Limited, trading as Go Ape high wire forest adventure, already has 12 sites established in forests across the country and a further four will be launched next Friday.

Bosses want to be able to unveil the firm's 17th assault course on Cannock Chase and hope to have it up and running by May.

Semra Hopovac, spokeswoman for the firm, said: "The mountain bikes and an adventure playground are great for younger children and Go Ape allows children over the age of 10, and adults, to enjoy an eco-adventure in the forest which is fun, challenging and exhilarating."

A planning application has been lodged with Cannock Chase Council seeking permission to put a cabin at the site for equipment and for a forest shelter there as part of the base.

People can make comments on the proposal before district council officers decide whether they can make a decision using their delegated powers or if it needs to go before councillors to be debated.

Jason Maclean, environmental manager for the Forestry Commission, said: "We are hosting it on our site so will effectively be renting out the land to them as it is a business in its own right.

"The reason we have decided to do so is that it will bring people into the forest and have little impact on the surroundings.

"We are also trying to get more teenagers into the forest and think this will help to do that."

Each Go Ape course has five and six separate sections linked together by natural footpaths and takes three hours to complete.