Opponents to SnOasis argue it will offer nothing new with increasing competition from The SnowDome Group. The enquiry is now in its seventh week. EADT reports:

THE SnOasis winter sports ski slope would offer nothing new and would have to survive in an increasingly competitive environment, a leading opponent of the development told a Government inspector today.

The inquiry resumed at Ipswich's Corn Exchange this morning into the £300 million complex which will include a giant ski slope, ice rink, casino, nightclub, hotel, restaurants, railway station, as well as hundreds of new homes at nearby Great Blakenham.

Despite gaining Mid Suffolk District Council's backing, the Government decided to call in the plans for an inquiry, now in its seventh week.

Dr Wendy Le-Las, one of the country's top environmental planning experts who represents the 13 communities opposed to the scheme, told inspector John Gray that SnOasis would be unlikely to attract visitors from abroad.


Planning inspector John Gray
She said: “SnOasis ski slope would offer nothing that is not available elsewhere, in urban areas with good communications.

“Competition is also growing. The SnowDome Group, which operates Tamworth, is opening Wycombe Snow Dome in 2008.

“The ski slope will be built on the side of Chilterns, thus minimising visual impact and the facility is within easy reach of the M40 and is 40 minutes by rail from London, as opposed to well over an hour to reach Great Blakenham station.

“The only real gain to UK plc would be if visitors went to SnOasis instead of abroad, or came in from abroad. Neither is likely.”