Protests hit plan for new Alton Towers ride
A PLANNING application for a £12 million ride to replace the Corkscrew at Alton Towers has been deferred following a barrage of protests.
The attraction, billed as the "world's first roller-coaster of its kind", is to be built in the park's Ug Land and is due to open next year.
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Residents and Alton and Farley parish councils have lodged objections amid fears over its appearance, noise nuisance and increase in traffic.
The application has been temporarily withdrawn to give Staffordshire Moorlands District Council planners more time to investigate the issues.
A decision will now be made at next month's meeting of the district council's planning applications committee instead of at a meeting today.
Thirty-nine letters of objection have been submitted and concerns have been raised that the ride – code-named Secret Weapon Six – will be located in the vicinity of an Iron Age hill fort.
A council spokesman said: "The council has deferred the application to the planning committee to enable more detailed consideration of representations received."
10 Comments
by Jan, Wiltshire
Monday, February 16 2009, 5:00PM
“How can there be any more noise than there was from the very noisy Corkscrew? Why on earth do these local people that complain about the park all the time live near it? It's been a theme park for a long, long time. Perhaps they would like to swop houses with me. I'd be happy to live there. And I'm not a kid either, I'll be 60 next year - and I still love Alton Towers!”
by James "Spinner" Hannaford, Herne Bay, Kent
Saturday, February 14 2009, 9:46AM
“All comments above are great especially the moon one maybe Virgin Galatic could do a special fly and ride ticket lol. also I maybe wrong but I was under the impression that the ROPERS had moved!!! so maybe there not one of the objectors. I think they should shut alton towers down and move it to somewhere else where they have done like what Walt Disney did in 1960? and bought 188,000 arcres because they dont have a problem with Nieghbours and the other comment about income being affected if it closed I think Mcdonalds travelodge and the ESSO and little chef on the A50 would have something to say about that LOL”
by The Alton Towers PA Tottey, Heading back To Alton Towers
Thursday, February 12 2009, 8:54PM
“HELLO MR. AND MRS. ROPER HALF TERMS COMEING UP. YOU NOW WHATS HAPPENING THEN, ALTON TOWERS IS OPEN, DEEP JOY...LOL”
by Matt, Bankeyfields
Thursday, February 12 2009, 3:16PM
“Yes Dave they do. I think I'd rather live under the shadow of alton towers than the eyesore that's churchills new factory.
Oh they complain of traffic as well. Check out Reginald Mitchell Way and day of the week.”
by Trevor Shaw, Stoke
Thursday, February 12 2009, 2:11PM
“This news is an absolute disgrace!!.Alton Towers have already bent over backwards to be fair in recent years and have covered all issues in there investigation and design of this ride so that there is no disruption to the people of the local villages.They have removed a ride for the new one to replace it after originally being given a preliminary thumbs up from officials remember!!.If this does not get the go ahead next month - especially under the current economic climate,it will be a sad example of the way this country is going,old,out of date and not in tune with reality!!.”
by David, Dundee
Thursday, February 12 2009, 2:04PM
“Whilst the presence of an Iron Age Hill Fort would add cost to the construction of a new roller coaster, with suitable mitigation both Fort and coaster can be accommodated easily - indeed the Fort would likely be preserved and more sympathetically treated than if it was left in it's current condition.
I would strongly suspect that an organisation the size of Alton Towers would have a more intimate knowledge of what lies on their grounds and where it is than most landowners given their desire to grow their businsess year on year.
As with the other comments I fear that the residents of Alton are more annoyed at Alton Towers spending circa £12 million on a rollercoaster rather than a bypass - which ironically would remove all the passing trade from the village.
If a bypass is so badly needed then surely the question should be asked of the Council as to why it is not mentioned in the current Local Transport Strategy??”
by Rob, Stoke
Thursday, February 12 2009, 1:51PM
“How about they move Alton bit by bit and put it on the moon. they might be happy then!”
by Jemma, Stoke
Thursday, February 12 2009, 1:44PM
“Why don't they just shut Alton Towers down - then the Residents will have something to really moan about - when they have no income coming in to the village!!!
If you don't like it - MOVE!!!!”
by Gary, UK
Thursday, February 12 2009, 11:42AM
“This has nothing to do with the Iron Age fort, but the residents are upset because they did not get their relief road. This protest against the new ride is purely to try and punish Alton Towers for refusing to build the new road. It has absolutely nothing to do with noise or conservation of the area. Alton Towers always do their best to accomodate new rides into the surrounding area, to ensure they do not destroy trees, create noise nuisance or historic sites. No doubt if Alton had agreed to build the road there would be no protests made and the plans would be approved without hinderance.”
by Dave, Tunstall
Thursday, February 12 2009, 9:31AM
“You've got to laugh haven't you when you read a statement like "Residents of Alton and Farley parish councils have lodged official objections amid fears over the way it will look, noise nuisance and increase in traffic."
Come to Tunstall and see the carbuncle of a warehouse that's been built next to Focus DIY cutting out the vista for the local residents, smacks of not in my back yard more like, don't these people make you sick.”