As reported by TowersStreet on 28th February, Alton Towers submitted a planning application to erect safety fencing in a number of places around the Resort’s Gardens and Ruins areas.
On 3rd April, the decision was made that two of the plans, regarding fencing in the Upper Gardens, were to be rejected. It was deemed that the fencing would cause “significant harm” to the appreciation of the gardens, would interrupt views, and would also cause damage to the listed materials.
The decision document also notes: “… it has not been demonstrated that the proposed fencing is the only mechanism for achieving Health and Safety objectives“.
The full decision wording can be found within this PDF document on the Staffordshire Moorlands District Council website.
However, two applications made at the same time for fencing in other areas have been approved with conditions, as shown in this decision notice. This plan will see upgraded fencing in front of the Towers themselves, the Splash Battle (Battle Galleons) lake, the bridge and damn and the white bridge between Battle Galleons and the Towers, the lower gardens surrounding the lake within the gardens, and finally the ‘gothic prospect tower’ within the gardens also – the planning application areas can be seen on this PDF document.
With the Resort keen to enforce Health and Safety measures across the park, it is not known what other options are known for protecting the gardens area at this time, or even the plans for continuing access to the gardens for all guests without the approved safety measures.
TowersStreet will keep you updated with any further plans or updated plans for the Resort however.
