Olympic bosses back ski dome plan

The snow dome slope would be almost 500m long

The British Olympic Association (BOA) has giving its backing to a planned £300m winter sports complex in Suffolk.

A planning application has been submitted to construct the complex - called Snoasis - in an abandoned quarry near the village of Great Blakenham.

The project - if given the green light - would be one of the world's biggest indoor real-snow ski domes.

The BOA said the facilities would be a boost for winter sport and would help develop the Olympians of the future.

Chief executive Simon Clegg said: "I am sure the winter sports community will see it as an opportunity to develop next generation Olympians in a range of disciplines and at the same time, raise the profile and interest in winter sport."

Environment fear

The plans for the complex include facilities for 13 other winter sports, including snow boarding, ice hockey, speed skating, ice and dry climbing walls, bobsleigh, luge and cross-country skiing.

An application for planning consent, which also includes houses, shops and a new railway station, has been submitted to Mid Suffolk District Council and is expected to go before councillors later this year.

The scheme faces opposition from nearby villagers who are concerned the development will increase traffic congestion and damage the environment.

Developers claim the finished scheme would generate about 1,000 jobs and millions of pounds for the local economy.