Alton Towers have submitted a planning application for a “proposed walk through attraction building”, and while details are still under wraps, it’s already got fans talking.

Right now, there’s very little to go on. No supporting documents or layouts have been released just yet. But one detail that hasn’t gone unnoticed is the application fee, which lines up closely with those used for the buildings behind COMPOUND and Edge of the Forest during Scarefest 2024 and 2025.

That’s where things start to get interesting.

Both of those attractions relied on purpose-built structures to house their experiences, so seeing a similar level of application suggests this won’t be a small, temporary addition. Instead, it points towards something more substantial, potentially a brand-new maze or even a longer-term investment in the future of Scarefest.

In recent years, Alton Towers has been gradually shifting towards more permanent infrastructure for its Halloween event, moving away from purely pop-up mazes and towards more controlled, immersive environments. If this latest application follows that trend, we could be looking at one of the biggest Scarefest upgrades in a while.

UPDATE:

New planning documents have now been released, giving fans a much clearer look at the scale and location of the proposed attraction.

The latest layouts reveal a large purpose-built show building alongside extended queue and pathway areas, strongly suggesting this is far more than a simple temporary setup. The attraction is set to be built in X-Sector, on the former site of Submission, further fuelling speculation around a major new Scarefest experience in one of the resort’s most atmospheric areas.

The structure itself reaches over 17 metres in height and appears designed to house a sizeable indoor experience, potentially allowing for more advanced theming, lighting and special effects than traditional seasonal mazes.

Interestingly, the plans also show substantial guest flow and queue infrastructure surrounding the attraction, something usually associated with higher-capacity experiences and longer walkthrough attractions.

While Alton Towers still hasn’t officially confirmed exactly what the building will be used for, the newly released plans have only strengthened speculation that this could become a major long-term addition to Scarefest rather than a short-term seasonal structure.

Of course, until more details are revealed, the exact theme and experience remain unknown - but this is now shaping up to be a much bigger project than many originally expected.

For now, it’s definitely one to keep a close eye on.

For more Alton Towers news, planning updates and seasonal event coverage, visit our Alton Towers hub.