The final decision on whether the UK and probably the world’s largest indoor snow centre can go ahead or not is not likely to be announced until early 2008, the public enquiry in to the proposal has been advised.
If built, the SnOasis complex in Suffolk will contain a 500m indoor ski slope with a 100m vertical drop on the site of a former quarry. The complex would also include a winter sports academy to train athletes, ice skating rink, ice climbing wall and other winter sports facilities (14 different sports in total) as well as a hotel, chalet complex, restaurants, cinema, nightclub and retail shops. The £300m ($600m US) project also envisages a 421-home development and new railway station in the village of Great Blakenham.
The area’s council granted planning permission for the project but the government called it in for a Public Enquiry. This was concluded this week as far as submissions by those for and against the proposal are concerned, but will continue concluding its business for another month. It then appears likely it will take a further six months for a report to be drawn up and for the The Secretary of State to make a decision before the end of this year.
The plans for the development by Onslow Suffolk and Persimmon Homes have galvanised opposition from a consortium of local residents who fear the plans will be an eyesore, and if the snowslope fails to be an economic success, a major disaster for the area. They formed a group called SnOasis Concern and pit forward their own case against the proposed facility at the Enquiry.
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