Video: Zip line ‘Adventure Park’ proposal for old ski slope site in Pandy

Go Below are exploring the possibility of setting up an Adventure Park in a presently disused plot of former colliery land in Pandy, that would include one of the fastest zip lines around.

The company are going to be consulting on a development plan that would include an artificial coal mine for people to explore, a climbing-tower, a big swing, some impressive ziplines and tracks for youngsters to ride around on in small electric vehicles. These activities would be supported by a small car park, reception building and kit-room.

Go Below are an eight year old family business based in Snowdonia, who tell us they have been self-funded from day one, not using either government grants or venture capital and are now one of the larger players in the North Wales Adventure Tourism market.

The Pandy site is seen as being the north east wales answer to the western developments for this type of tourism, with an eye on customers from Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham being inside reasonable travelling distance.

The land itself has a covenant restricting its possible uses to that of leisure only, which it is believed this proposal would be compliant with, and we are told it is owned by Wrexham Council. There is planning permission for the much famed Wrexham Ski Slope project, however that never got off the ground and has since ceased around a decade ago.

As well as the development plans there is mention of further site usage that could include activities such as nature trails, walks and mountain-bike routes. Go Below do note: “The site is presently used informally for dog walking and jogging, and ideally some paths should be maintained as permissive rights of way so that these users can continue to enjoy the site.”

On Wednesday morning we met with Miles Moulding from Go Below, and took a trip up the higher-than-we-remember hill…

One of the main things we hear at planning meetings is regarding parking and vehicle use, and although pointing out it was early days for any projections the proposals say: “It would be appropriate to put the realistic maximum at 100 customers per day, and stock the kit room with 100 harnesses … The number of cars coming onto site each day would therefore average at 23, and peak at 40-50.”

Go Below say: “The next stage is to go through a period of time for public consultation, to listen to the feelings and ideas of the local community and incorporate them into the proposal as far as practical. Only after this process can consideration be given to making a formal planning application for the project.”

They added: “The project will need broad local support first and foremost. Following this, survey work will be undertaken to establish if the project is appropriate from an ecological and arboricultural perspective. Following on from this, a formal planning application can be made.

“Should this be successful, a process of applying for development finance and grant support, combined with seeking suitable private investment, will get underway. If the money can be made to work, the project can go forward.”

Cllr Terry Evans, Lead Member for Economic Development and Regeneration at the Council, and who walked the site with us this week, said “This project has the potential to support the rapid growth of Wrexham County Borough’s tourism economy, through both job creation and visitor spend. North Wales as a whole has developed a superb reputation as the adventure capital of the UK and here in Wrexham, we’re always looking to support inward investment that has the potential to further develop our local economy and tourism offer.”

“We’re looking forward to receiving the full planning application, should the project progress, later this year and the opportunity to work with Miles and the team at Go Below to support them as much as possible.”

Go Below say they are are extremely keen to hear from persons with an interest in the plans, adding they want to ‘engage with local residents in order to consider how the adventure park could affect them and are willing to adopt the plan where necessary to address any legitimate concerns that are raised’ and have set up a dedicated email address specifically for this purpose [email protected]

They say they are also keen to speak with persons and other companies who are interested in getting involved in the project, either practically or financially.

There is no name yet for the project, and Go Below recognise that their existing brand would not be suited for such above ground activities, so suggestions are welcome…!

The locality will be leaflet dropped with details of the proposal, and consultation event on the 13th April at the Gresford Colliery Club starting at 6:30pm.

Top pic: A picture we took on Wednesday with one of the zip line stations merged on top.