Post by steve75 on May 12, 2005 7:34:56 GMT -5
DOROTHEA QUARRY, UK (11 May 2005) -- A disused Gwynedd quarry where a number of underwater divers have died is on the verge of being sold.
More than 20 divers have died at the Dorothea Quarry, in the Nantlle Valley, in the last 10 years.
A Jersey-based property firm has almost completed a deal to buy the quarry, and its plans could include a hotel, homes or a corporate training centre.
Community leaders hope the site can be made safer, and developed to improve the economy of the area.
Dorothea quarry is up to 300ft deep in places with a network of flooded tunnels and sheer drops, and the challenge attracts divers from around the country.
The incoming firm, Kerville Ltd, has taken out insurance to cover any diving at the site.
A spokesman said: "We want to create jobs on the site, and we will be talking to authorities like the Snowdonia National Park and the tourist board.
"Some of the ideas we have got are housing, holiday homes, a hotel or corporate training centre."
The spokesman stressed these were all ideas at this stage, and that the firm was keen to talk to the local community.
Local councillor OP Huws said the site was "very problematic" and "very dangerous".
He added: "I am in fact very pleased it seems to be new owners and people that will probably look at it in a responsible way, will rationalise the diving and secure the site for safety reasons.
"But perhaps more important than that, in the long term, we would be very pleased to talk to them about their plans to develop the site.
"There is a need for a lot of money and that is one of the drawbacks of the site, it is fraught with a lot of dangers."
The sale is due to take place in the next couple of weeks.
Source-BBC
More than 20 divers have died at the Dorothea Quarry, in the Nantlle Valley, in the last 10 years.
A Jersey-based property firm has almost completed a deal to buy the quarry, and its plans could include a hotel, homes or a corporate training centre.
Community leaders hope the site can be made safer, and developed to improve the economy of the area.
Dorothea quarry is up to 300ft deep in places with a network of flooded tunnels and sheer drops, and the challenge attracts divers from around the country.
The incoming firm, Kerville Ltd, has taken out insurance to cover any diving at the site.
A spokesman said: "We want to create jobs on the site, and we will be talking to authorities like the Snowdonia National Park and the tourist board.
"Some of the ideas we have got are housing, holiday homes, a hotel or corporate training centre."
The spokesman stressed these were all ideas at this stage, and that the firm was keen to talk to the local community.
Local councillor OP Huws said the site was "very problematic" and "very dangerous".
He added: "I am in fact very pleased it seems to be new owners and people that will probably look at it in a responsible way, will rationalise the diving and secure the site for safety reasons.
"But perhaps more important than that, in the long term, we would be very pleased to talk to them about their plans to develop the site.
"There is a need for a lot of money and that is one of the drawbacks of the site, it is fraught with a lot of dangers."
The sale is due to take place in the next couple of weeks.
Source-BBC