BOSSES at one of North Yorkshire's biggest theme parks must wait to discover the fate of their newest white-knuckle ride.

The 55-metre high Cliff Hanger ride, which was opened at Flamingo Land last week, is to come under further scrutiny by district planners.

Ryedale District Councillors gave their backing to an open-latticed structure last year.

But when planners discovered it had been covered in a red-and-white cladding to look like an old-fashioned lighthouse they decided to force park bosses to make a new application to the northern area planning committee.

Last night committee members decided a new application should be deferred and a site visit carried out.

The hope is that park bosses and planners can reach an agreement.

Coun Arthur Aslett urged fellow members to reject the application because of the conspicuous height of the ride.

"This is a lot taller than the other rides and I think it is a hazard to light aircraft flying over," he said.

Coun James Bailey said: "This is a retrospective application and had this come before us eight months ago we would not have approved it. I don't see why we should now."

Coun Chris Parkin suggested the height of the ride be lowered by 20 feet by part-burying it below ground level.

"I think it has been painted in the most horrendous colours."

But Coun Debbie Aubrook said considering the council had already approved Cliff Hanger's height that was not an issue for them to discuss.

"The only issue at stake is the lattice feature," she said.

"I have visited the site and spoken with the owners and they agree the colours are garish.

"I think we should be looking at having the lattices removed which is what we said in the first place."

Coun Linda Cowling said she had no objection to the ride's presence.

"Flamingo Land has been here a long time. This council accepted the principal of a theme park many years ago.

"What did you expect? Did you think the owners would not want to develop the site further?

"This is exactly what I would expect them to do. If you start saying no to them where does that leave them?"

The application will be deferred to a future meeting of the planning committee.

Updated: 09:01 Wednesday, April 03, 2002