Energy plan for winter sport park

The site would house one of Europe's largest indoor ski slopes

Developers behind a £350m indoor winter sports resort in Suffolk said they had found ways to generate 75% of energy it would need through renewable sources.

Onslow Suffolk wants to build the SnOasis complex on the site of a former quarry at Great Blakenham.

Opponents have voiced concern about the impact on the environment.

The Department of Communities and Local Government extended an earlier deadline for the decision, asking developers to increase energy efficiency of the site.

Renewable energy sources for the site would include a woodchip burner.

The developers were also asked to hold further talks with Natural England over proposed measures to protect some species on the site.

Benefit package

Natural England said the company had so far failed to convince its experts that great crested newts would be properly catered for.

A spokeswoman said: "We've been working with the developer for a very long time and we've been as clear as we can about what is required and we will continue to work with them to come up with a better mitigation package."

In his submission to the government, John Williams, chairman of SnOasis Community Alliance, a group formed by residents and parish councils in the area, said: "We continue to believe that the scheme is fundamentally in the wrong place and is wholly out of tune with the government's desire for sustainable and environmentally sound developments."

Onslow Suffolk said earlier that a package of benefits would be put in place covering a wide range of projects.

These included planting 130,000 trees, improvements to the Copdock intersection of the A12 and A14, skills and training initiatives, and a main line railway station linking to London Liverpool Street.

A decision on the plans is expected by 6 November.