• Contact us
  • About us
  • Digital edition
  • Online archive
Sunday, June 22, 2025
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
  • News
    Is outsourcing a strategic opportunity amid rising employment costs?

    Is outsourcing a strategic opportunity amid rising employment costs?

    Farms focus on cashflow following SFI scheme closure

    Farms focus on cashflow following SFI scheme closure

    MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

    MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

    Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

    Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New vicar appointed for churches

    New vicar appointed for churches

    Award for Eden writer

    Award for Eden writer

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

  • Sport
    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • Buy Photos
  • Buy your paper
  • North Lakes Living
No Result
View All Result
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
  • News
    Is outsourcing a strategic opportunity amid rising employment costs?

    Is outsourcing a strategic opportunity amid rising employment costs?

    Farms focus on cashflow following SFI scheme closure

    Farms focus on cashflow following SFI scheme closure

    MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

    MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

    Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

    Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New vicar appointed for churches

    New vicar appointed for churches

    Award for Eden writer

    Award for Eden writer

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

  • Sport
    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • Buy Photos
  • Buy your paper
  • North Lakes Living
No Result
View All Result
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
No Result
View All Result
Home Latest

Anger over Cumbria luge plans

by CWH
18 May 2023
in Latest, News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

“A blot on a beautiful landscape and a blight on local people’s lives” is how objectors are describing plans for an outdoor recreational luge track near Armathwaite.

More than 20 objectors packed into the first meeting of the Eden locality board for Westmorland and Furness Council at Penrith Town Hall, when a petition signed by more 1,000 people was handed in to the authority.

However, the applicants stand strongly by the scheme, saying it will bring a world class attraction to Cumbria and prove to be truly carbon neutral.

The planning application, which is expected to go before a meeting of the new unitary authority’s strategic planning committee later this year, is for land at Blaze Fell to be used for an outdoor recreational luge track with ancillary operations facility, chairlift and parking provision.

Objectors, including Peter Stybelski who lives close to the proposed site, say they don’t want a theme park ride for thrill-seekers to be built in such a sensitive rural location. “It is an unsuitable development,” he said.

Ed Neil-Gallacher, who lives near Armathwaite, said he started the petition to show the strength of local opposition to the development.

He told the meeting that more than 1,000 people had signed the petition, all three local parish councils had objected to the plan, along with 350 individuals, and the council’s own arboriculturalist had also raised concerns.

Computer generated image of the luge facility. Picture: Manning Elliott Partnership

Mr Neil-Gallacher said the proposed site was in open countryside and the plan, which could not be described as farm diversification, would have very limited economic benefit for the immediate area.

“The main car park and disproportionally large visitor centre, situated at the top of the hill, will consequently be visible for miles,” he said.
In addition, its design was said to be not in keeping with the rural environment.

Mr Neil-Gallacher said: “The scale of the buildings is much larger than would be necessary for the running of the luge alone and reveals the intention to develop the site as a destination.”

“As the majority of visitors to the Eden Valley come for its unspoilt quiet nature, this development will adversely affect existing tourism businesses.

“We believe the development will result in harm to the environment, both on a local level, and by contributing to CO2 emissions ­— 700 tonnes of concrete are projected to be used in laying the luge run, and a little under 1,000 people per day are expected to visit.

“There is a legitimate concern that the increase in traffic will have an unreasonable impact on the quality of life of nearby residents in villages with absolutely no benefit to them.

Computer generated image of the luge facility. Picture: Manning Elliott Partnership

“This type of attraction should be sited on a brownfield site near a large centre of population close to public transport where it could be a stimulus for a generation, rather than a blot on a beautiful landscape and a blight on local people’s lives.”

Daniel Holder and Charles Lowther, the joint proposers of this project, said: “The area could be the home to Europe’s first gravity powered, downhill luge track which will offer a unique experience and attract new audiences to the local area, helping to attract and disperse tourism throughout Cumbria.

“The original luge experience was established in New Zealand in 1985 and others can now be found in a growing number of locations across the world. This Cumbrian luge track would be the first in Europe.

“We are committed to building and operating one of the country’s first fully sustainable visitor attractions.

“The track itself will sit unobtrusively within an established maturing, managed woodland on the northern side of Blaze Fell, on Nord Vue Farm with excellent access less than a mile from the main arterial A6 main road.

“Armathwaite is situated two miles further down this road. This nearly 20 year old maturing woodland contains a natural gully which we have designed the attraction around and is flanked by the main high voltage power lines running through this part of Cumbria.

“The luge track itself will comprise a 3m wide, 850m long concrete track that meanders down this hillside under a canopy of existing trees. The track route has been carefully designed so that a minimum of healthy trees will need to be removed and the vast majority of trees will be left untouched (riding silently, close to nature, through lots of trees is part of the enjoyment).

“The project will also see many new trees being planted to increase the existing woodland, linking it to other woodlands on Nord Vue Farm. New ponds will be added to improve the habitat for newts. Natural England have stated that this project will improve the biodiversity of the area, which is great news.

“An attractive operations building will be built into the hill making it virtually invisible from the surrounding area, and with sustainability being at the forefront of this proposal, the building has been designed to be self-sufficient and carbon neutral. A large roof area with a photovoltaic panel array will power the building. The track will utilise the latest low carbon concrete and the foundations will be built with stone from the on-site quarry.

“Access to the attraction on Nord Vue Farm will be via the A6 and M6 approaches, and private car use will be minimised in favour of shuttle buses, and new public transport routes.

Computer generated image of the luge facility. Picture: Manning Elliott Partnership

“When the attraction opens, it will employ around 50 people in full-time, well paid local jobs. Roles will include hospitality, customer service, engineering, maintenance, ecology and marketing.

“In addition, several local firms have already been involved in developing the proposals and we will actively promote opportunities for local suppliers to work with us. It will provide a viable farm diversification to Nord Vue Farm in the shadow of a very uncertain agricultural outlook.

“We understand that with any new proposal, especially one that proposes a brand-new idea, there will be intense local scrutiny.

“While the objectors say this attraction will be “a blot on the landscape and a blight on local people’s lives” we honestly believe that there will be no negative impact to the surrounding local communities. We are part of this community, sensitive to any potential impact, and as such have engaged with the local community to understand their concerns and mitigate any perceived impact.

“If planning permission is granted, Cumbria will gain a world class attraction which will operate as a truly carbon neutral business. It will improve biodiversity, drive employment, support local business and be a real asset to the Cumbrian economy and its local community.”

Related Posts

Is outsourcing a strategic opportunity amid rising employment costs?
Expert advice

Is outsourcing a strategic opportunity amid rising employment costs?

22 June 2025
Farms focus on cashflow following SFI scheme closure
Expert advice

Farms focus on cashflow following SFI scheme closure

21 June 2025
MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges
Latest

MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

20 June 2025
Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days
Latest

Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

20 June 2025
Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith
Latest

Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

20 June 2025
New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose
News

New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

20 June 2025
No Result
View All Result

Stay connected

Facebook Twitter Instagram

Most popular

Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

20 June 2025
Is outsourcing a strategic opportunity amid rising employment costs?

Is outsourcing a strategic opportunity amid rising employment costs?

22 June 2025
Looking back through the archives

Looking back through the archives

20 June 2025
Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

20 June 2025
Farms focus on cashflow following SFI scheme closure

Farms focus on cashflow following SFI scheme closure

21 June 2025
New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

20 June 2025
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald Logo

33 Middlegate
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 7SY

Phone: 01768 862313
Email: news@cwherald.com

Registered in England as Barrnon Media Limited. No: 12475190
VAT registration number: 343486488

Explore

  • News
  • Sport
  • Farming
  • Property
  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Your view

Useful links

  • Contact us
  • Photosales
  • Online archive
  • Buy your paper
  • Digital edition
  • North Lakes Living
  • Advertise
  • About us

Follow us on

© Barrnon Media Limited 2025

Terms & Conditions / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy

This website and its associated newspaper are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation
Review Your Cart
0
Discount
Add Coupon Code
Subtotal
Total Installment Payments
Bundle Discount
Checkout

 
0
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • more
    • North Lakes Living
    • Buy Photos
    • Buy your paper
    • About us
    • Contact us

© 2020 Cumberland & Westmorland Herald