Lake District's newest attraction in doubt as legal challenge is launched

Plans for a new zip wire attraction at the Lake District have been thrown into doubt after a landscape charity has launched a legal challenge. Friends of the Lake District has asked the High Court to review proposals from Burlington Slate Ltd and preferred operator Zip World for the Elterwater Quarry Experience, which were given the green light by the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) in May.

The application was narrowly approved with three members of the development control committee for the LDNPA voting in favour of the proposals and three against, with additional weight being given to the chairman’s vote in granting the application with conditions. The plans were previously rejected by the development control committee in September 2023 due to traffic concerns. The approved plans include a travel plan that encourages people to walk, cycle and use public transport to reach the site.

However Friends of the Lake District has labelled the revised travel plan ‘inadequate’ and say they are seeking a judicial review of the committee’s decision. The charity said it had concerns about the lawfulness of the decision in respect of the understanding of the Sandford Principle, the enforceability of the travel plan, and the assessment of the effects on the tranquillity of the landscape.

Chief Executive Officer of Friends of the Lake District Michael Hill said: “Our charity has always acted as a ‘critical friend’ to the Lake District National Park Authority. We work in close partnership with them on many important issues, and in our recent manifesto we called for their funding to be doubled.

"As a friend, we believe we need to speak up when decisions are made which put this precious landscape under threat. That is why we have asked for the High Court to review the lawfulness of the approval of this adventure attraction.”

The site is currently a working quarry operated by Burlington Stone and it is located south-west of the village of Elterwater. The approved project aims to allow visitors to explore parts of the cavern that had been previously inaccessible for a ‘heritage-based adventure experience’.

Plans include installing platforms in the caves at points of interest. Visitors will travel from one platform to another via zipline. Chief Executive Officer of Zip World Andrew Hudson said: “We are aware of today’s announcement by the Friends of the Lake District.

“Our position remains that our proposals for Elterwater Quarry will help preserve this unique part of the Lake District’s heritage in a sensitive and sympathetic manner.”

The LDNPA has been contacted for comment.