Thirlmere, no further zipwire application. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

The company that owns the Thirlmere reservoir in the Lake District said it will not support any repeated application for zipwires at the site.

United Utilities said, following the draft report by national park planners which recommended refusal, it would not facilitate any new submission on its land.

Treetop Trek, the company behind the controversial proposals, withdrew its application for the activity hub, which would have seen twin four-line zipwires installed across the lake and the main north-south Lakes road.

The company shelved its plans after the planners’ report, citing the opposition of the Ministry of Defence, which uses the valley for low-flying exercises by pilots.

Paul Phillips, northern catchment manager at United Utilities, said: “From the outset we said that the planning authority was best placed to make the judgement on the suitability of the site for a zipwire, and that we would abide by its decision.

“While we were satisfied that the zipwire would not have had a detrimental impact on water quality in the valley, we always acknowledged that wider impacts would need consideration.

“On the basis of the findings in the [Lake District National Park Authority’s] draft report we will not be facilitating any resubmission of the plans by the developer.”

United Utilities said that it would continue forestry operations in the Thirlmere valley.

Mr Phillips said: “We uncovered and refurbished the Fisher Crag track last year as part of ongoing restoration work following Storm Desmond and to allow access for forestry work and maintenance in the plantation at the top of the track.

“It forms part of our overall plan to remove some of the overgrown conifers in the valley and encourage the growth of native broadleaf woodland which is better for wildlife.

“It’s important for people to understand that our work to manage the estate will continue. We’re committed to maintaining a beautiful and biodiverse valley at Thirlmere, for the benefit of visitors as well as water quality and wildlife.”

A separate application for a dual-use zipwire has been submitted by Honister Slate Mine at its site between Borrowdale and Buttermere. The company said the line would be used both by tourists and to lower stone to its base at Honister Hause from Honister Crag on the slopes of Fleetwith Pike.