Kilometre-long zip line finally tipped for approval at Honister
The adventure centre’s owner has tried in vain to construct a zip wire attraction over the slate mine since 2011, but the Lake District National Park Authority has now been recommended to approve fresh plans.
Changes in the technical specifications of the zip wire and a landing post adjustment comprised the final alterations to the scheme, which was most recently rejected in 2019. Next week’s development control committee meeting will consider the new proposals.
In peak season the attraction could see up to 57 riders a day crossing from Honister Crag down to the existing visitor centre, where a high-level landing structure with a raised ground-level deck would be erected.
Proposals also include the use of the zip wire to transport hand-quarried walling stone from existing mine openings that are only extractable in such a way.
Slate would be loaded onto a ‘muck truck’ and the wire could be used to extract between 100-300 tonnes of stone.
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Honister Slate Mine already operates activities such as cliff camping, mine climbing, and canyoning. There is a YHA youth hostel on the site to accommodate guests.
Access to the zip wire would be from the operator’s via ferrata attraction, which currently ends at Honister Crag. Instead of walking, visitors would be able to choose to descend via the zip wire.
The application states that the zip line would be able to accommodate disabled people.
A planning design and access statement which informed the application was compiled by TetraTech.
To view the application, use the reference number 7/2023/2286 on the Lake District National Park’s planning portal.
