Dorothea quarry development plan

One of the deepest flooded quarry sites in the UK has been bought for development.

A business consortium called Penygroes Holdings has purchased Dorothea quarry in Gwynedd, north Wales.

could become a sort of ‘supersized’ Stoney Cove

‘Dotty’ is currently private property and relatively inaccessible but divers have been making the pilgrimage to dive there for many years. The former slate quarry ceased operating in 1970.

The site is particularly attractive because of its depth, which bottoms out at about 105 metres. Unfortunately, several people have also lost their lives at Dorothea.

The new owner has plans to turn the site into a high class inland centre, akin to a ‘supersized’ Stoney Cove. Initial plans include building a dive centre, outward bound facilities and a hotel.

Penygroes Holdings says the development could create many jobs and become a world-class tourist draw.

Although plans are at an early stage and subject to approval, initial work would begin by removing excess slate and waste, clear the site and improve access to the remote quarry.

Building work at Dorothea could commence within the next 18 months.