Great Blakenham SnOasis makes 'important next step'

The £300m snow sports centre is planned to be built at a former quarry

Final details have been lodged for a £300m snow sports centre which has been in the pipeline for 16 years.

Mid Suffolk District Council planning officers are considering plans for SnOasis at Great Blakenham, near Ipswich, and are preparing a report to go before councillors.

Outline planning consent was granted in 2008 but the project was delayed due to the "recession and ecological matters".

Developer Godfrey Spanner said he was "excited" by the progress being made.

For more on this story and other Suffolk news

"Submission of this additional information marks an important next step in the delivery of the scheme," he added.

"We are increasingly excited about the progress being made to seeing SnOasis happen and delivering the significant local, regional and national benefits associated with the development of this unique winter sports resort and facility."

It is not yet known when the plans will go before the planning committee.

Plans for the complex have been in the pipeline since 2001

The planned development will include a ski slope and a speed skate circuit in addition to other sporting facilities

The vision is for a winter sports centre, featuring a ski slope and a speed skating circuit.

It will have accommodation for short break visitors and athletes staying longer term to use the development as a sports training facility.

The complex is planned to be built at a former quarry site.

Previous plans for a railway station have been scrapped.

Mr Spanner said it was because it does not fit in with Network Rail's vision to cut journey times between Norwich and London to 90 minutes.

He said he hopes the facility will open in 2020.

It is hoped athletes will base themselves at the site for training

Mid Suffolk District Council's planning officers are considering the plans

Years in the planning

• Godfrey Spanner's company Onslow Suffolk acquires the site in 2001

• Planning permission for SnOasis is sought in 2004

• Onslow Suffolk receives planning consent in 2005 but with conditions "it could not meet"

• Outline planning permission is granted in 2008

• Mr Spanner is declared bankrupt in 2012 but says the SnOasis project "will not be affected"

• Detailed information is lodged in 2016 to safeguard permission granted in 2008

• Final details are submitted ahead of August 2017 deadline

A council spokesman said: "We now have the final details which are with our planning team, who are going through every single part of the application in detail.

"They are considering it in line with planning law, to make as comprehensive as possible a report to our councillors."

Final details received include an environmental statement and a structural report and a waste management strategy.

Natural England says there is still "insufficient information to rule out adverse effects to Great Blakenham pit" and Suffolk Wildlife Trust is concerned about dormice, bats, breeding birds and badgers.