Plans to create a luge track in Eden have divided the community.
The sledge-like activity in gravity-powered carts is a fast-growing tourist pastime in New Zealand, Singapore, China and Canada, but is yet to be introduced anywhere in the UK or Europe.
A planning application has been lodged with Eden District Council by Askham Hall owner Charles Lowther and Ullswater’s Quiet Site owner Daniel Holder. However, the plans have attracted criticism from people living in Armathwaite and organisations.
What are the arguments for and against?
We hear from Mr Holder and Friends of the Lake District (FoLD).
What impact will it have on the luge track’s neighbours?
FoLD: “Residents of Armathwaite, situated in the tranquil Eden Valley could face the prospect of a luge track, chair lift and associated buildings on neighbouring Blaze Fell if a recent development proposal submitted to Eden District Council is given the go-ahead.”
Mr Holder: “Blaze Fell is nearly two miles from Armathwaite and the access route does not go through the village. The track will not be visible or audible from Armathwaite. Blaze Fell has a certain charm but is not a Lake District fell.
“It is nowhere near the Lake District. It has existing 400KV pylons crossing it and two quarries. The existing trees will render this development invisible from 95 per cent of the surrounding countryside.
“It is not going to be right in the village, it will be two miles from the village.”
What impact will it have on the landscape?
FoLD: “The fell forms part of a sandstone ridge with the proposed site lying in open countryside immediately adjacent to a county wildlife site and open access land; Cumbria Wildlife Trust has already objected to the proposal.”
Mr Holder: “We believe that any concerns raised by Cumbria Wildlife Trust are covered by the ecological report submitted with the application. This report was not made public by Eden District Council (as is their policy) but we are happy to make available a redacted version to the public and Cumbria Wildlife Trust.
“This project will increase woodland and improve habitats. The development is within existing woodland, so invisible from the surrounding area. Further tree planting plans have been submitted with the application.”
Will it see an increase in traffic?
FoLD: “The traffic generated by such a major development is also a real concern.”
Mr Holder: “We believe this location is perfect for a well-managed luge track. Our ambition and desire is to begin with 20 per cent of guests not arriving by private car rising to 50 per cent in the first 10 years.
“The ecological future of our planet depends heavily on minimising private vehicle use and is fundamental to our plans. At present most people do travel by car but this is not a situation that can be allowed to continue as we tackle the current climate crisis.
“Use of shuttle busses will be a large part of our transport objectives. Following the public meeting we have adjusted our proposals to not use Armathwaite Station for the shuttle bus service but instead will concentrate our efforts on shuttles from Penrith and Carlisle stations.
“Shuttles will also run from hotels and holiday parks. Private traffic would be directed to arrive from the A6. The 800m between the A6 and the site entrance (Armathwaite Road) is not an A-road but it is in fact superior to most Cumbrian A roads we know. The traffic flow would be managed by the online booking system.”
Is this the right place for a large scale tourism development?
FoLD: “We could support such developments if they were sited sympathetically, in appropriate locations – tourism is of course so important to Cumbria – but as we have seen with similar proposals, there appears to be a lack of regard for the landscape, communities or the impact on local infrastructure when developers select sites for such large-scale projects.”
Mr Holder: We have carefully considered the siting of this development. It is nestled in existing woodland which provides excellent screening. This attraction would open its doors with approximately 20 full-time posts being created. These will be well paid local jobs in areas such as hospitality, customer service, engineering, maintenance, ecology, marketing etc.
“We would be looking at sustaining an extensive and sophisticated supply chain in the local area. The visitor economy brings a range of benefits to Cumbria and helps make the county not just a great place to visit but also a great place to live and work. Hospitality brings £3 billion annually into Cumbria and provides nearly 40 thousand jobs.
“This complies with local policies of attracting guests to the Lake District and dispersing them through Cumbria.”
