New proposals for a Lake District tourist attraction have been backed as it was likely to preserve the historical perspective of the slate quarrying industry.
Burlington Stone and operators Zip World submitted revised plans to the Lake District National Park Authority in November for the Elterwater Quarry Experience.
The project at the Great Langdale quarry, aims to allow visitors to explore parts of the cavern that had been previously inaccessible for a heritage-based adventure experience.
Plans include platforms that will be installed in the caves at points of interest, and visitors will travel from one platform to another via zipline.
In response to the plans Cumbria Amenity Trust Mining History Society said: “We believe the proposals are likely to preserve the historical perspective of the slate quarrying industry to a much greater extent than letting the remains decay as many in the district have been allowed to do.”
The plans were previously rejected by the Lake District development control committee in September 2023 after members went against planning officers’ recommendations due to concerns over traffic.
The firm, which is working with Zip World on the project, estimated the attraction could attract up to 50,000 visitors a year.
Burlington Slate wanted to use part of Elterwater Quarry at Great Langdale for heritage tourism – including zip wires in its caverns, a visitor centre and natural history trail. When the firm first revealed its plans, it provoked outrage, including an online petition against the plans signed by over 90,000 people.
Zip World commissioned transport planning consultants Curtins to develop a bespoke travel plan.
The amended plans include a travel plan which encourages people to walk, cycle and use public transport to reach the site.
It said it will provide an enhanced bus service – either by working with the current operator of the 516 service or providing a private shuttle bus. it added it was also working with Langdale Low Carbon group, led by Cumbria Tourism, on developing sustainable transport options, with a memorandum of understanding being prepared by Cumbria Tourism.
Zip World would also financially reward customers that have used non-car travel to make all or part of their journey to the experience through ticket pricing.
In response to the new plans Historic England said: “The proposed development would not have any direct physical impact on designated heritage assets outside the application boundary, and indirect impacts upon their settings would be very limited, given the location of the quarry within the landscape and the lack of inter-visibility with many of the designated heritage assets sited around it.
“There would, however, be the potential for direct physical impacts upon archaeological remains, potentially of national importance, which have yet to be identified within the underground caverns and in the wider quarry landscape above ground.”
“Historic England considers that, subject to the adoption of appropriate mitigation measures, including detailed survey to identify features of heritage significance within the application site, and the adoption of design solutions which would avoid damage to them during the construction and operation of the development, there would be little or no adverse impact upon heritage assets, whether designated or un-designated, or their settings.”
Friends of the Lake District said it would continue to oppose the plans.
