Back in March 2014 Alton Towers resubmitted a revised planning application for a proposed lodge and treehouse accommodation development, now to be known as ‘Alton Towers Enchanted Village’. After several months of tension it appears that the plans may now be closer than ever to becoming true!
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council held a meeting of the planning committee yesterday (1st May 2014) with the lodge development being one of the items on the agenda. Documents from this meeting suggest that the development is ready to be given the go ahead, providing certain conditions are met.
As Alton Towers lies in a conservation area alongside many historical and listed structures the park has always been under a great deal of scrutiny from many parties, all interested in the preservation of the parks unique setting and heritage. Indeed, over the years this has seen a number of developments both declined and withdrawn in the early stages.
However, it appears that aside from minor concerns regarding conservation and environmental impact (which is fairly common in Alton Towers planning applications) almost all parties were in agreement that the lodge development can continue. English Heritage have raised some concerns that the proposed 10 tree houses may be too close to the main heritage areas of the park, and that they are ‘uneasy’ with the development (though it should be noted that they do not appear to have expressly objected to the plans).
One of the conditions placed upon the application, however, is that some more small details be submitted to the board regarding construction and appearance of the tree houses specifically, a step presumably taken in an attempt to place all parties at ease. Other conditions included detailed lighting plans for the proposed buildings, in order to prevent light pollution in the area, and also the prohibition of outdoor amplified audio being used and indoor sound systems to be controlled and limited.
In addition to this information from the planning committee Alton Towers have already taken the step to promote the new accommodation on their homepage, including a mailing list to subscribe to for news on the development. This move seems to suggest that the park may have received positive confirmation from the committee, ahead of the official decision being made public.
TowersStreet will aim to bring you all the latest news and info regarding this exciting new development as soon as possible. You can discuss this, and many other aspects of the Resort on our popular TowersStreet Talk Forums, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with new developments as they unfold.
