Lake District quarry attraction flies through
Burlington Stone and Zip World’s contentious underground venue featuring zip lines was approved by councillors on Wednesday morning.
Elterwater Quarry Experience is designed to take visitors through the quarry, educating them about the mining process. Visitors would navigate through the cavern via zip line.
It was the second time the Elterwater Quarry attraction had gone before the Lake District National Park’s development control committee. The Ambleside scheme had been rejected last year because of travel issues, with councillors expressing concerns over the number of private vehicles traversing the park.
Up to 50,000 people a year are projected to visit the Elterwater Quarry Experience.
After the rejection, Burlington Stone and Zip World resubmitted the scheme with a bulked-up travel plan, an accessibility statement, and a revised visitor management plan.
Enhancing the quarry access road, adding a shuttle bus between Elterwater Quarry Experience and the Zip World attraction in Brockhole, and improving the 516 bus service were all part of the plan.
Those who travel via a vehicle will be able to take advantage of 36 car parking spaces and three coach bus spots.
While councillors remained somewhat uneasy about the potential for more car travel in the area, they were won over by the scheme’s provision for a heritage experience that provided an indoor (so-to-speak) visitor activity.
Andrew Hudson, chief executive of Zip World, said he was pleased with the committee’s decision.
“We recognise the role we can play in celebrating and preserving this unique part of the Lake District’s heritage and look forward to working with local communities and stakeholders to demonstrate how we will operate this educational experience in a sensitive and sympathetic manner,” he said.
Stephenson Halliday is the planner for the project, with Dewis Architecture drawing up the designs. Curtins and BSG round out the project team. To learn more about the project, search application reference 7/2023/5767 on the Lake District National Park’s planning portal.
Great news, common sense prevails
By Gilly
What about the road from Clappersgate to Skelwith. The width can not cope with extra volume of traffic. The wall is forever being knocked down. Dreadful decision
By Mike King
Fantastic development. What a brilliant way to bring the quarry to life!
By Jane
‘Flies through’!
By Anon
I’m absolutely gutted that I didn’t think of that one. Have I stolen your idea and changed the headline? Yes. Thanks, Anon!
By Julia Hatmaker
The Lake district is not a theme park,and should not be treated as a cash cow.Shame on the morons who voted for the zip wire .They obviously have no regard for the beauty and tranquility of the area.How does, having people screaming and shouting,plus all the disruption by the influx of people who obviously do not appreciate the natural beauty of the area.Its rather sad that even the Lake district planning board prioritise.money over the natural environment.Shame on you!!!😡
By Ken Bryans
Very disappointing. An area of outstanding natural beauty does not need ‘attractions’. I suppose a motorway could be built for the extra traffic…
By Phil
@Ken Bryan Er, Ken, the bit that’s likely to have the punters screaming is indoors. As in, underground. In a cavern. The bigger issue here is traffic: realistically, how many people who have driven via the comfort and convenience of private motor car will hang around in the rain waiting for the 516 to take ’em up the hill?
By More Anonymous than the others
@Ken Bryans You realise its a working quarry right, im sure that the screaming wont be as loud as the explosive detonations and heavy goods vehicles from the mining process.
By Anonymous
There are issues with access, but maybe having an attraction like this in Elterwater will encourage a better bus service. Would there be an issue with people parking in Ambleside or Windermere and getting the bus there, if the service was available. Also, people making arguments about landscape impact clearly haven’t looked at the details of the scheme!
By Cumbrian
I agree Phil, let’s lobby to reopen the quarry.
By Anonymous
“Area of Natural Beauty”
Blown up quarry wedged into the landscape.
By CityCentre
50,000 people a year yet only 36 parking spaces 🤔🤔🤔 a bus service that struggles to get through the volume of traffic and idiotic roadside parking, already limited parking in the surrounding area that’s usually filled by early morning. Great idea LDNPA you’ve excelled yourselves as usual!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
By Anonymous