THE South Lakes MP said he was 'disappointed' plans to turn a section of Elterwater Quarry into a zip-line attraction were given the green light. 

Last week, members of the Lake District National Park Authority development control committee narrowly voted in favour of revised proposals from applicant Burlington Slate Ltd and preferred operator Zip World for the Elterwater Quarry Experience.

The experience promises a heritage tour through the caves on a section of the site, with guests riding from point to point on a zipline. 

The chairman had the deciding vote after three members voted in favour and three voted against. 

Tim Farron MP, whose constituency covers the Langdales, said he was a 'bit disappointed' by the outcome arguing there could have been an opportunity to build affordable housing for locals.

He said: "It's just going attract more visitors to a really overcrowded road.

"It was an opportunity that could have still done some good for the community to build some more affordable housing. There's very little in Chapel Stile - some genuinely affordable homes - but it wouldn't have made people as much money. 

READ MORE: Approval for Lake District Zip World at Elterwater quarry

 "For most of the businesses around there there isn't a lack of visitors but a lack of staff."

However he did say that he was sure 'the people who run it will run it well.' 

The revised plans went through after the applicant modified the travel plan. 

On the travel plan, a report by LDNPA planning officers stated: “It has been demonstrated that the site can accommodate visitors to it and that measures proposed to promote and increase travel to the site using more sustainable modes of transport are sufficiently robust and achievable.

“The development would not result in harm as a result in increase in activity as a result of travel.”

More than 200 objections were lodged against the proposals including representations from landscape charity Friends of the Lake District and the Lakes Parish Council.