Go-ahead for £350m skiing centre

The government has finally given the go ahead for the world's first indoor winter sports resort to be built on a disused quarry in Suffolk.
Developer Onslow Suffolk will oversee the build at the quarry at Great Blakenham which is expected to take 30 months. During the construction phase, it's hoped that 3,500 jobs will be created and another 1,800 full-time equivalent jobs provided once completed.

Godfrey Spanner, Managing Director of Onslow Suffolk, the developers of the scheme said, “At last we have final approval, after eight years and costs running into many millions, we can move forward and give our country something unique to be proud of. SnOasis will now become a reality bringing with it countless opportunities for jobs, the local and national economies, education, athletes and the winter sports industry.”

He added, “we have been working hard behind the scenes with various winter sports bodies to attract major competitions to SnOasis. We can confidently say once complete it will host an ever growing number of international events, leading to it becoming a regular venue on the world winter sports circuit. These activities will undoubtedly bring further benefits and kudos to our country.”

The project was backed by the business sector, but faced opposition from residents and environmental groups including Natural England who were concerned about damage to the environment and congestion on local roads.

Once completed, it will claim the titles of...

- Europe’s largest indoor ski slope
- The UK’s first Centre of Excellence for winter sport
- The UK’s first 400m Ice Speed Skating track
- The UK’s first 100m Bobsleigh push start
- 14 winter sports in one location
- The UK’s first 1.5km dedicated Cross-Country Skiing Track
- The UK’s first Ice Museum