A petition opposing plans to set up an ‘adventure tourism experience’ at a Lake District quarry has received more than 65,000 signatures.
Burlington Stone has outlined a vision for Elterwater Quarry that would see visitors enjoy high ropes courses and a ‘cavern toboggan’ ride.
Vantage points would enable those not taking part to watch on and learn more about the quarry and the slate industry. The company says the attraction would be an ‘immersive learning experience in this unique setting’.
But campaigners have expressed concerns over increased traffic and the suitability of the quarry for the proposal. An online petition set up by a group called Zip Off Langdale has now received more than 65,000 signatures.
At 75,000 signatures the document would, according to change.org, become one of the top-signed petitions on the whole website.
Commenters echoed the concerns expressed in the preamble to the petition.
Carl Bradford said: “The Lakes has a natural beauty and attraction, it does not need man-made ones, it does not need more people, it does not need more pollution, it needs protecting and preserving.
“Old industrial sites should be made to be environmentally sound, nature-attracting habitats like they once were.”
Liz Gwynne said: “It’s an inappropriate site that can’t support the tourist traffic it hopes to generate and won’t pay enough for people to work there and live nearby.”
Christine West said: “This is a unique and precious natural area… and must not be destroyed by tacky frivolity.”
A spokesman for Holker Group, which owns Burlington Stone, said he was aware of the petition but declined to comment on it.
He declined to say if or when a formal planning application for the quarry would be submitted.
“We are keen to educate people with the history of this business that we have been in for over 200 years,” the spokesman said.
