On Sunday, 18th June, over 200 people attended the launch of the sNOasis Concern balloon in a field close to the site of the proposed indoor slope. The launch was extensively covered by TV and local media and according to sNOasis Concern prompted calls from concerned residents in the surrounding area.

However just over 24 hours after the launch of the balloon, it was sabotaged and set free at around 7pm on Monday.

“The balloon was securely tethered in a remote wheat field near to the proposed SnOasis site. Suffolk police are investigating and a trail was found leading through the wheat in the direction of the former Blue Circle quarry where SnOasis is being planned,” said a statement on the sNOasis Concern website.

Keith Willetts, chairman of sNOasis Concern said "we aren't going to be silenced. Clearly there are people out there who are very worried by the truth about SnOasis coming out but we will not be intimidated - we will continue to tell the truth about SnOasis and bring home to the people of Suffolk just how bad this development is going to be for the area."

The £320m Snoasis Development intends to create what the company behind it, Onslow Suffolk, states will be the 'ultimate all-year-round winter sports resort' with the world's biggest indoor ski slope as its centrepiece. They say that the complex is expected to create up to 3,000 jobs and contribute at least £70 million to the region's economy. It has been approved by local planners and is now being considered by the Go East authority, the proposed opening date in 2009.

Both sides for and against the proposal are calling for public support.

www.snoasisconcern.com / www.snoasis.co.uk