Reports that plans for an adventure playground in Tatton Park are likely to be rejected because they threaten ancient woodland are untrue, according to Cheshire East Council.

BeWILDerwood – which runs a similar play area in Norfolk – applied in April to build a treehouse adventure park in the grounds at Tatton, which is owned by the National Trust but financed and maintained by Cheshire East.

It would be sited in Witchcote Wood at the park’s south-east corner near Knutsford Road and Tatton Mere lake.

A report said that developers, Bure Valley Adventures Ltd, received a letter from CEC saying their application was ‘likely to be recommended for refusal’ because they would need ‘very special circumstances’ to allow building in the wood.

But the authority said that the letter was written on July 20 and it has since been told by Natural England that only a small part of the wood is ancient.

Coun Jamie Macrae, in charge of prosperity and economic regeneration, said: "A letter was sent by our planning officers requesting additional material.

"It was explained in this letter that concern had been raised as to whether Witchcote Wood was ancient woodland. Natural England has since made closer investigation and found that a small part of the wood is ancient, but not all of it, and that this is to be taken into account by the applicant in the form of a slightly amended application.

"This was a routine type of letter setting out a concern that needed to be addressed and asking for additional information surrounding a planning application to be considered by the council, as in this case.

"They are sent out regularly to many applicants on a frequent basis and it is explained what is likely to happen should the information not be forthcoming or the concern not addressed. It is not unusual."

The proposals will be discussed at the council’s next planning meeting on September 12.