Future of High Ropes attraction over as demolition plans put in

Plans have been put forward to demolish a £320,000 adventure course at Blackpool’s Stanley Park which was once expected to prove a huge attraction.

The High Ropes course opened in 2015 after Blackpool Council borrowed the funds to set it up – but it has now been deemed potentially unsafe.

The structure, rising to 11 metres in height, included a zip wire, bridges, a rock climbing wall and obstacles. 

However, after much initial interest, the attraction failed to prove as popular as hoped and then became the subject of a political row between the council’s Labour leadership and the Conservative opposition.

The structure was mothballed two years ago and the council was criticised for allowing the debt to be paid off by revenue from Blackpool Sports Centre, with critics saying the money should have been invested into other facilities. 

The council argued that at the time of ordering the facility, such attractions were hugely popular and it was considered a real asset for Blackpool.

Earlier this year, it was confirmed the High Ropes structure had closed for good.

Now an application has been lodged with Blackpool Council planners to demolish it, on the grounds of public safety.

The proposal includes documents relating to safe demolition practice and a report on roosting birds, both necessary requirements before any demolition work can proceed.

A heritage statement, in support of the work, said: “The High Ropes structure at Stanley Park is in a condition of disrepair and if left in that condition would result in further degradation which could result in the structure becoming unstable or unsafe. 

“Potential future development of the area has been discussed in order to keep up with modern attractions, so with this in mind it has been proposed that the high ropes structure and associated timber outbuilding be demolished and removed from site in preparation for future developments.

“The high ropes structure and outbuilding were built on an area of Stanley Park that previously housed council greenhouses and a car park. 

“The proposed alterations would see that the land is left in a top soiled, seeded condition until an agreement is reached on any potential future developments.”