Controversial plans to create a tourism experience at a Lake District quarry have been submitted to planners.
Burlington Stone wants to transform its Elterwater Quarry site in the Langdale Valley into a heritage centre and has partnered with adventure company Zip World on the scheme.
It would include a cavern adventure for visitors – which, the company said, had been used by quarrymen for generations and had been exhausted as a mineral resource.
It added: “The proposals intend to allow safe and supervised access to these areas, where visitors will be able to experience something of what it was to work in this subterranean environment.”
The firm said in light of the concern from people, it has created a proposal on a ‘revised scale’. Now, those plans have been lodged with the Lake District National Park Authority.
It is estimated, that if given the go-ahead, it will create between eight to 10 full-time equivalent jobs.
The development will work alongside existing quarrying of Burlington slate and the planning application said the development would provide economic security for the site in the future and support the tourism industry in the wider area.
The application said: “The previously approved and built visitor centre would also be renovated as part of the project, with bike charging points proposed to its side and an outdoor seating area provided adjacent to it as a means of enhancing any visitor to the site’s experience whilst there.
“In addition to the above, the proposals would see the historic slate caverns being opened up for exploration by the public, providing an intimate journey of the unique underground space, showcasing the heritage whilst partaking in a physically challenging and stimulating experience.”
What is planned at Elterwater Quarry?
Cavern Explorer
Burlington Stone said: “The Cavern Explorer allows visitors to explore the existing slate extraction caverns. Visitors will be able to traverse a network of fixed routes, fixed to the cavern walls, to explore the principal upper cavern and the smaller lower cavern.
“The cavern experience will provide an intimate underground journey, showcasing the special qualities of the cavern faces. It is anticipated that the route would last approximately one hour, be challenging, stimulating and unique, giving participants an understanding of the realities of mineral extraction within the Lake District National Park.”
Quarryman’s Viewpoint
The Quarryman’s Viewpoint will include a permissive route within the quarry to a viewpoint, which provides panoramic views over the quarry. This will allow greater understanding and appreciation of the active industrial heritage of the site and promote visitor interaction with the wider landscape including its unique geology. The route to the viewpoint will be improved to provide greater accessibility
Visitor centre
The former saw-shed and former showroom building along with the immediate outside areas will be repurposed for use as part of the attraction. This will include a visitor reception and check in, kit and de-kit area, eBike charging, limited food / beverage facilities and changing facilities.
An indoor heritage/interpretation area and outdoor geological exhibition/interpretation area, including educational panels which describe the history of the slate workings, the slate industry and its role in the local area will be created.
Plans for a separate car park and zipwires, initially mooted for the scheme, have been removed.
