Planners back £350m snow centre

More than 1,500 jobs would be created at the centre

A scheme to build a £350m indoor winter sports centre on the site of a quarry in Suffolk has been backed by planners, a council report has revealed.

Onslow Suffolk unveiled plans for the complex at the 300-acre (121 hectare) former quarry in Great Blakenham, near Ipswich in July 2004.

Mid Suffolk District Council is being recommended to support the plans when members meet later this month.

Onslow Suffolk said the controversial scheme could create 1,500 jobs.

In a report to the council's planning committee, which meets on 20 April, officers said on balance they are in favour of the proposal, "which is considered to represent a form of development meeting the overall aims of national, regional and structure plan policy to achieve a sustainable development".

An artist's impression of the Snoasis ski slope

Planning officers also back plans for a new railway station in Great Blakenham to carry people to the complex and plans for a 421-home development near the site.

John Williams, chairman of the Snoasis Parish Group that represents 15 town and parishes opposed to the quarry site, criticised the recommendations and said the fight against the plans would continue.

Public inquiry

He said the application was of such importance it should be decided by a public inquiry.

"We have always said that due to the complexity and likely impact of the applications, they should be examined in public by an inspector.

"In the event of a public inquiry we will engage specialists from the traffic, ecological and environmental fields who are better qualified to cross-examine the developer and his line-up of consultants."

Godfrey Spanner, managing director of Onslow Suffolk, said he was very pleased council officers had decided to recommend for approval the Snoasis planning applications.

The plan is to turn the quarry into a £350m snow centre

"I hope now that the members will, on the 20 April, take on board the officers' recommendations and give their backing to Snoasis," he said.

If the council backs the plans, the government can either support the decision or order a public inquiry.

If councillors reject the plans, the developers could appeal to the government.