Climbing centre left hanging

A TREETOP adventure playground which was due to open six weeks ago has been left in limbo after failing to get staff vetted for working with children in time.

Go Ape is still unable to say when its latest centre at Beecraigs Country Park in West Lothian will open because it is awaiting the results of "extensive vetting checks" from Disclosure Scotland.

The forest adventure park cannot get an operating licence from West Lothian Council without the certificates.

It has already had to cancel 125 bookings after realising it would not get its licence in time.

The delay will cost the company thousands of pounds, with adults being charged 30 per visit and children 20.

It had originally been expected that the situation would be resolved within a couple of weeks but, six weeks on, play park bosses still do not know when they will be able to open.

A company spokeswoman said: "Go Ape has applied for Enhanced Disclosure checks for all course staff at Beecraigs Country Park.

"These are in the due process of extensive vetting checks with Disclosure Scotland.

"As soon as the forms are returned they will be made available to the council's chief solicitor.

"As the time taken for these checks is variable, we are unable to comment on exactly when the course will open."

The adventure playground, which is only the second Go Ape facility in Scotland, had an official launch in March, which was able to go ahead despite the licensing problems.

The Evening News had an exclusive preview of the facility – which consists of a giant treetop obstacle course 40ft in the air made up of ladders, bridges, tunnels, walkways and zip wires – but it cannot open to the general public.

It is latest setback for the company, which has 25 other facilities across the UK, following the abandonment of plans to build a Go Ape facility in Glasgow's Pollok Park last year.

The proposals had proved controversial and sparked a massive protest amongst park campaigners. Eventually, Go Ape pulled out of the deal, despite having the backing of Glasgow City Council.

A West Lothian Council spokesman added: "Go Ape will be issued their licence when they have exhibited Enhanced Disclosure checks for all their staff to the council's chief solicitor.

"At present, we have not received any Enhanced Disclosures from Go Ape."