Legal challenge over zipline in national park quarry

Plans for the attraction were initially refused in September

A charity has launched a legal challenge over the approval for a "zip wire" tourist attraction in a national park.

Friends of the Lake District said it was taking legal action to "protect one of the most sensitive areas" of the park from the development at Elterwater Quarry.

The Lake District National Park Authority approved revised plans for the attraction in May.

Developer Zip World said its proposals would help preserve the area in a "sensitive and sympathetic manner".

Andrew Hudson, CEO at Zip World, 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."

Visitors to the attraction will be able explore parts of a cavern using a zipline.

The plans were refused in September after nearly 90,000 objections were received.

Revised proposals, including a commitment to promoting local cycle routes and providing a minibus service, so fewer cars travel to the main site, were submitted in February.

But Friends of the Lake District said the modified plans were still "inadequate".

"The development would cause significant harm to the character of the area and the local community," the group said.

"Even a small increase in traffic in this sensitive landscape could have a big impact."

It added it had concerns about the "lawfulness of the decision" and had asked the High Court to review it.

The Lake District National Park Authority said it was "aware" a claim had been made for judicial review.

"We have yet to receive any sealed documents. The authority will not comment on ongoing legal proceedings," a spokesperson added.