Ski centre plan for old quarry

The quarry could become a massive employment opportunity

The developers behind a £300m scheme to build one of the largest indoor ski centres in the world are hoping to win over the local planning department.

Onslow Suffolk Ltd has submitted plans for the "Snowasis" - a complex which includes a 250m-long ski slope.

The scheme is marked for a 300-acre former quarry site in Great Blakenham, near Ipswich, Suffolk.

If completed, developers expect it to generate almost 3,000 jobs and about £600m a year for the local economy.

They estimate about 4m people would visit the site each year.

Godfrey Spanner, of Onslow Suffolk, said the plans had been three years in the making and a 120,000-page plan had been developed by 23 consultants.

'Vandalised landscape'

He added that feed back and support for the complex had been positive.

"What else can you do with 300 acres of derelict, vandalised land which is a scar on the landscape?

"This site once employed 600 people. We will employ near to 3,000 after 1,500 people have been employed to build the thing," he said.

Konrad Bartelski, a former skiing champion, said the facilities would be good for the country.

"You have to look at our recent record in sport to see we're not performing at the levels we should be," he said.

"It's because this country does not have enough facilities. There are not enough places where people can come and enjoy sport and have fun in a sporting environment."

The plans have been submitted to Mid Suffolk District Council.