Exclusive look inside vast Derbyshire quarry set to become a water park resort

Exclusive access has allowed the current condition of a Derbyshire quarry, which may become a water park resort, to be revealed.
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It comes as plans to bring Crich Quarry in Derbyshire back to life as the Amber Rock Resort are out for public consultation before a planning application is submitted in the next few weeks.

The scale of the work which would need to be carried out to the former quarry, used for mining limestone, is dramatic.

A drone's eye view of the quarry at Crich.A drone's eye view of the quarry at Crich.
A drone's eye view of the quarry at Crich.
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It forms an impressive spectacle and while a huge site to take in up close, it is barely if at all visible from the surrounding area.

The quarry is made up of several distinctive tiers, particularly in the northern top of the site, differing levels which would be utilised for hotel and apartment buildings which would make up the main body of the resort.

Before work can start on building the resort, if it is approved, the vast 44-acre quarry must be significantly levelled out, largely using materials from the site itself.

Pools which have gathered on the site would need to be drained.

Crich stand visible from the quarry site.Crich stand visible from the quarry site.
Crich stand visible from the quarry site.
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The quarry has been closed for years. It has since become a hotspot for nuisance trespassers and antisocial behaviour, posing a public safety hazard to the surrounding area.

Developers BMET Limited, based in Northampton, are now behind plans to turn the former quarry into a water park resort.

The resort site would include a large modern hotel built into the towering rock face below the Sherwood Foresters Memorial Tower, the distinctive war memorial at Crich.

If approved, several large apartment blocks would be built into the rock face on the north west side of the quarry, which is lower than the main face due to be home to the hotel.

The planned hotel would be built into the rock structure.The planned hotel would be built into the rock structure.
The planned hotel would be built into the rock structure.
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During an exclusive visit to the site, the Local Democracy Reporting Service was told that the developer intends to plant a series of trees all around the rim of the quarry to obscure it from views from the surrounding area and also to protect the amenity of the neighbouring Crich Tramway Village.

Key features of the resort, if approved, would be an indoor and outdoor climbing centre; indoor water park; over-water yoga; shops, cafes and restaurants; miniature golf; a gym, spa and wellness centre.

To contribute to the consultation 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. Phil Bramley, editor.

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