Lakes zip wire plan to go before planners

Opponents of the scheme say it will have a negative effect on the Honister area

A new application for a zip wire in the Lake District National Park will go before planners next week.

A scheme spanning more than half a mile (1km) between Honister Crag and the Honister Slate Mine Visitor Centre was approved by the park authority in 2019.

However, a new proposal has been submitted as a request to change the location of a landing post would take the development outside of its approved boundary.

Planning officers have recommended the scheme's approval, but the development has faced objections from Buttermere Parish Council and Friends of the Lake District.

Documents say the applicant "has been keen to ensure that the proposed [scheme] takes advantage of the very latest technological advances", leading to some amendments of the original design.

The changes will reduce the zip wire's visual impact and reduce noise, it adds.

'Concern' remains

Honister Slate Mine is described as the oldest working slate mine in England and is the source of roof slate for Kensington and Buckingham palaces.

The maximum number of people using the zip wire in a day would be 57 and it would be made available to visitors with restricted mobility as well as children under 10 through a powered cable climbing trolley.

Friends of the Lake District say despite some clarifications by the applicant, the proposal "nevertheless remains of concern primarily due to conflicts with the statutory purpose of National Parks" and local and national planning policy.

The Lake District National Park Authority's development control committee will consider the application on 5 March, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.