Minister backs ski centre cheme

The snow dome slope would be almost 500m long

Controversial plans for a £350m winter sports complex in Suffolk have been given the backing of sports minister Richard Caborn.

The Snoasis scheme, proposed for a former cement works at Great Blakenham, near Ipswich, has been supported by the British Olympic Association (BOA).

But it has been opposed by many local people and the Suffolk Wildlife Trust.

Now Mr Caborn has said the scheme will be a "real asset to the country's pool of sports and leisure facilities".

In a letter to Snoasis developer Onslow Suffolk, Mr Caborn said: "(Snoasis) would provide a winter sports centre of excellence for people in the local community, athletes and young people with the potential to become international and Olympic competitors."

'Major asset'

The site would become home to Europe's largest indoor ski slope and developers claim it will create up to 1,000 jobs.

Godfrey Spanner, managing director of Onslow Suffolk, said: "We are delighted that the government recognises that Snoasis will be a major asset for the nation."

The plans will be considered by Mid Suffolk District Council's planning committee later this year.

Some residents have already voiced their concern about the impact of the ski dome complex on the environment and increased traffic congestion.

The Suffolk Wildlife Trust is registering an objection to the planning application saying there would be a "significant loss to biodiversity".