A DECISION by East Devon District Council to oppose two of the rides at Devon's Crealy Great Adventure Park has been greeted with incredulity by staff and management at the park, and local children.

Children are making their voices heard with online and on-park petitions to the council.

The district council's development control committee are now considering whether the two established rides - the Tidal Wave Log Flume and the Original Victorian Carousel - should be allowed to remain on the site.

East Devon District Council informed Crealy that they do not now consider the entire site to be an amusement park.

Crealy must therefore apply for retrospective planning permission for the carousel and log flume rides.

If planning permission is refused, the rides may have to be dismantled and removed from the park.

Crealy's planning advisor, Nick Laister of RPS, who advises many of the UK's theme parks, said: "Following a development control committee meeting in February, East Devon District Council asked Crealy to submit retrospective planning applications for the two rides.

"If planning permission is not granted for these two rides, then they may have to be removed.

"I would ask any family which has enjoyed these two popular rides to contact East Devon District Council as soon as possible in support of the rides remaining."

Devon's Crealy Great Adventure Park, which has entertained millions of guests since 1989, said that it feels that it has been badly let down by the Council.

Angela Wright, MBE, managing director of the park, said: "All of the attractions and facilities at Crealy, including our rides, are carefully selected for safety and guest delight - including all environmental issues in line with our aim, since 2000, to become a carbon neutral business. In particular we pay close attention to landscaping, noise control and energy use - and of course to providing Maximum Fun!"

Crealy is holding an open evening at the park on Thursday, April 26, between 6pm and 8pm with free entry to ride the Log Flume and Victorian Carousel.

Crealy management will be on hand to explain the details and invite children in particular to make their voices heard.