Opponents are calling it a “rollercoaster theme park” that will spoil the tranquility of a “jewel in the crown of the Lake District”. For its backers, it’s an “adventure tourism experience” that will ensure a sustainable future for a historic quarry.
Even before a planning application has been submitted, the two sides are squaring up for battle.
By Tuesday afternoon more than 6,000 people had signed a petition opposing plans for the future of Elterwater Quarry in the Langdale valley, west of Ambleside in Cumbria. It was set in motion by a group called Zip Off Langdale, which calls on people to “save Langdale from a rollercoaster theme park”.
Campaigners said “the rides that are planned include a rollercoaster and a high ropes course”. They add: “The railed rollercoaster would loop around a large area of the site, and into a quarry cave. We strongly believe that the national park is being developed as a theme park.”
They say they are local residents and argue that Elterwater and Langdale cannot cope with extra traffic: “Langdale is the jewel in the crown of the Lake District and its natural beauty, landscapes, traditions, and tranquility attract tourists and locals alike. It is not a suitable location for theme park rides.”
The proposals have been drawn up by the owner of Elterwater Quarry, Burlington Stone, which is owned by the Holker Group. It said it had permission to operate the site until at least 2042 but had taken a decision to reduce the number of quarries it extracted from.
“To ensure the quarry, its underground caverns and voids remain safe and protected, there is a need to creatively and responsibly repurpose the site,” it said. “Burlington Stone’s vision is to unlock a sustainable future for Elterwater Quarry, which celebrates our rich quarrying legacy and the history of human endeavour while bringing the natural geological resource to life.”
It is proposing to team up with a company called Zip World which, it says, “has an admirable track record of delivering fun, activity-based attractions safely and responsibly in the heart of national parks and Unesco world heritage sites”.
One of those is Zip World at Penrhyn Quarry in Snowdonia, home to Velocity 2, the fastest zipline in the world.
The Lake District proposals centre on a “Quarry Explorer” high ropes course and a “cavern toboggan” which will “take passengers through forested areas and reclaimed quarry land, culminating in an exciting underground section through the spectacular caverns”.
Burlington Stone said the plans will provide “a fun way for guests to appreciate and enjoy the environment, without having to alter or change the existing landscape”. The company also said that “the noise and disruption associated with quarrying activity will cease”.
A 2018 plan for a zipwire attraction across Thirlmere foundered after the Ministry of Defence said it would pose a threat to low-flying aircraft. It was also vehemently opposed by thousands.
In a statement Burlington Stone said: “A planning application has not been submitted and exploratory work has focused on the creation of a heritage-based amenity promoting the history of the slate industry and the natural geology of the Lake District.
“Discussions have focused on vitally important topics including sustainable transport solutions, significant reduction in quarry traffic, ecology, bio-diversity, housing and employment.
“Stakeholder engagement to date has been both positive and reassuring and we continue to listen to the aspirations of numerous interest groups.”
