Public to have their say on plans for giant indoor water park resort at former Derbyshire quarry

Plans to build a huge water park resort in a derelict former Derbyshire quarry are taking a step forward.
An aerial view of Crich Quarry. (Picture: Richard Bird Photography)An aerial view of Crich Quarry. (Picture: Richard Bird Photography)
An aerial view of Crich Quarry. (Picture: Richard Bird Photography)

A public consultation has now been launched into the proposed resort, set for Crich Quarry, north of the village, nearly two years on since the Local Democracy Reporting Service broke the news of the planned Amber Rock Resort project.

If all goes well and the public are on board with the scheme – after the consultation ends on March 22 – the developers, Hillcrest (Crich) Limited, aim to submit a planning application towards the end of April.

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An artist's impression of the proposed water park development (Picture: Pennyroyal Design Group)An artist's impression of the proposed water park development (Picture: Pennyroyal Design Group)
An artist's impression of the proposed water park development (Picture: Pennyroyal Design Group)
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The past two years have seen a flurry of revisions to designs and detailed discussions with Amber Valley Borough Council, Derbyshire County Council, the Sherwood Foresters and the Crich Tramway Village, with a lot of progress made, say the developers.

This includes moving the planned apartment buildings further round towards the northern point of the quarry and shifting the water park complex slightly around towards the eastern side.

A hybrid application would be submitted to Derbyshire County Council for a decision in the next few weeks, after an agreement for it to be the lead, instead of the borough council, with Amber Valley agreeing to act as a key consultee.

The application would see works agreed for the extensive clearing and preparation of the former quarry for development, along with the resort scheme itself.

An artist's impression of the proposed water park development. (Picture: Pennyroyal Design Group)An artist's impression of the proposed water park development. (Picture: Pennyroyal Design Group)
An artist's impression of the proposed water park development. (Picture: Pennyroyal Design Group)
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If approved, after an estimated five years for construction and development, it would include a giant indoor water park, a 116-bed hotel, 148 straw bale lodges – seven of which would float on the quarry’s lake – 210 holiday apartments, climbing walls, a zip-line, bowling alley, shops, a restaurant, a swim-up bar and a sports hall.

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Sustainability and clean energy are said to be key parts of the scheme.

The water park resort plan is the focus of developer’s aims to bring the quarry back into use. If this fails they say other commercial uses would be explored, but affirm that it would not return to life as a quarrying or mining.

The online consultation will also be joined by a leaflet drop at all homes and properties within three kilometres of the site – in lieu of a public in-person consultation, which had been planned.

To view the consulation visit www.amberrockresort.com.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.