Revised plans for a zip wire at a Lake District attraction are set to be given the go-ahead next week.
Honister Slate Mine’s bid for the 1km zip wire between Honister Crag and the Honister Slate Mine Visitor Centre was approved in 2019 by the Lake District National Park Authority.
Committee members approved the application against officers’ advice.
Now, a new application has been submitted because, due to changes in the technical specifications of the proposed wire, it would be necessary to change the location of landing post. This would take the development outside of its approved boundary.
The application said: “As plans for the development have progressed, the applicant has been keen to ensure that the proposed takes advantage of the very latest technological advances, and therefore some amendments to the original design have been introduced.”
The application said the amendment would have the following benefits:
- Removing the intermediate post will reduce the visual impact and environmental impact upon the land in this area
- Reduction of noise by using the latest technology for braking
- Greater slate carrying capacity delivered directly to the processing zone without the need for any intermediate transport and handling
- Safer and easier passenger transfer at the landing point.
Honister Slate Mine is the oldest working slate mine in England and is the source of roof slate for both Kensington and Buckingham Palace.
The operation of the slate mine has been complemented for the past 26 years by a tourism visitor experience, which includes educational guided tours and adventure experiences that shed light on the history and the continued operations of the site.
The maximum number of people using the zip wire in a day would be 57 and it will be made available to visitors with restricted mobility as well as children under the age of 10 through the introduction of a powered cable climbing trolley.
The application said: “The proposed development seeks to build upon the mine’s existing success by increasing the extraction output whilst reducing the number of heavy vehicle movements and by raising the quality and visitor expectations of the tourism attraction.”
However, the plans have faced objections from Buttermere Parish Council and Friends of the Lake District.
The landscape charity said: “Friends of the Lake District considers that despite the submission of additional documentation that provides some of the clarifications requested by ourselves and others, the proposal nevertheless remains of concern primarily due to conflicts with the statutory purpose of national parks, the Sandford principle and local and national planning policy.”
Members of the development control committee will consider the application when they meet on March 5 and officers have recommended approval.
