Over 1,000 people have written letters objecting to plans to build an ‘adventure tourism experience’ at a Lake District quarry.
Last June, Burlington Stone outlined a controversial new vision for Elterwater Quarry that would see the creation of high ropes courses and a ‘cavern toboggan’ ride.
Since then, the coaster element of the plans have been dropped, leaving a gravity-driven climbing experience in its place.
The company says the attraction would be an ‘immersive and active experience’ in a ‘unique setting’ complete with vantage points to allow those not taking part to watch and learn more about the quarry and the slate industry.
Campaign group Zip Off Langdale, which is objecting to the plans, set up an online petition to stop the development last year and have continued to campaign against it.
The petition received over 78,000 signatures, which according to change.org, led to it becoming one of the top-signed petitions on the whole website.
Those campaigning have expressed concerns over increased traffic and the suitability of the quarry for the proposal.
A spokesman for Holker Group, which owns Burlington Stone, said he was aware of the petition but declined to comment.
Revised plans for the experience were officially put to the Lake District National Park Authority last month, with the objection deadline set for February 10.
The firm has now dubbed the plans the Elterwater Experience and said the attraction aimed to promote the legacy of the quarry’s history and expose visitors to the industrial heritage and natural history of the area.
The experience will consist of three activities including the cavern explorer, quarryman’s viewpoint and a visitor centre and facilities.
The cavern explorer will be a gravity-driven hour-long climbing experience traversing the quarry via a series of routes fixed to the cavern’s walls, including metal platforms and staircases.
Quarryman’s viewpoint is set to be an accessible route within the quarry to a panoramic viewpoint. The attraction is also set to create a total of eight to 10 additional full time employment opportunities.
The visitor centre and facilities will include a visitor reception and check in, a kit and de-kit area, eBike charging, limited food and drink facilities and changing and toilet facilities.
An indoor heritage area and outdoor geological exhibition including educational panels which describe the history of the slate workings, the slate industry and its role in the local area is also set to be created.
The working of the quarry is set to continue alongside the attraction plans to ensure the site remains productive to support existing employment.
One objection to the attraction said: “It will ruin the Lake District and be detrimental to both the environment and those living nearby.”
Another added: “National parks are intended to preserve the natural environment, without embellishment or detriment and to facilitate the peaceful interaction of human beings with that natural environment.
“If people want theme parks, hi-tech facilities and digital-age stimulation, perhaps going to a city would be more appropriate. The natural beauty of the Lake District should be enough of a reason to visit…if it isn’t then there are plenty of alternative locations to go to.”
While a third said: “As a resident of Langdale I object to the revised application for many reasons. But in particular yet more traffic on our already overloaded and badly maintained roads and yet more loss of peace and tranquillity and frustration for residents.”
ZipWorld, which would be behind the gravity-driven climbing experience, said in the planning application: “The proposal would regenerate the existing site, making efficient use of the existing on-site facilities.
“Renovating them would provide a quality customer experience which would effectively communicate the unique and interesting heritage of the site whilst set amongst it.
“This would build upon the reputation it already holds as an unique and beautiful setting, the proposals would promote the quarry’s legacy.
“ZipWorld also aim to support the local economy in creating work associated with the project, from planning through to construction phases.”
