Wycombe SnowDome News News

Bucks Free Press reports;

Plans for a multi-million-pound indoor ski centre to replace the former fire-torn Wycombe Summit site appear to have been placed on ice.

The Abbey Barn Way plot has been put on the market with agents Edward Symmons which has been “instructed to seek offers for the remainder of the 99 year lease”.

The advert states the 76.76 acre site benefits from "detailed planning consent" for an indoor ski complex – which has the “potential for alternative uses, subject to planning”.

It is the latest twist in the saga - throwing the future of mooted plans for a 120m 'real snow' slope, ice rink, shop and restaurant faculty into doubt.

The applicant, Snowdome Ltd, took Wycombe District Council to appeal in 2010 over its decision to refuse a revised 2009 planning application, which included the widening of the building to make way for conference rooms.

The Planning Inspectorate was called but – at the 11th hour – the firm backtracked and said it would revert to a scaled-back application from 2007, which was originally given the thumbs up by WDC’s planning committee.

The original dry ski slope was decimated during a huge blaze which started in the kitchen of the wooden chalet building in 2005.

Snowdome Ltd and Edward Symmons have been unavailable for comment this morning.

Wycombe Summit ski facility can finally re-open after a developer and council resolved a planning row.

Snowdome Limited dropped its battle with Wycombe District Council over a 2009 planning application for the Abbey Barn Lane facility, closed after a 2005 fire.

It had taken the council to appeal – but at the 11th hour said it would go ahead with a 2007 application, which Wycombe District Council was happy with.

The firm was unavailable for comment this morning on the future of the facility.

Managing director Martin Smith previously warned the development could be delayed even if permission is won because of the ‘general economy coupled with the associated reluctance of the banking sector’.

The news comes after snowboarder Melanie Codling last month set up a Facebook group calling for it to be re-opened, which attracted more than 2,300 members.

She said today: “We are very pleased and we are looking forward to what is going to happen. Hopefully this paves the way for the development to begin.”

Miss Codling said she was ‘surprised’ the firm had ‘back-tracked’ but was thrilled the row had been resolved.

Wycombe District Council rejected the 2009 plan to widen the building over the training ski slope and introduce party rooms over a new skating rink.

Planning committee members said it would reduce a woodland and damage the character of the area.

The Planning Inspectorate based its findings on the 2007 plan which the council had some concerns over but ‘its benefits outweighed any shortcomings’.

The club house was destroyed in the 2005 blaze. The inspectorate’s report notes ‘widespread public support for the development’.

Anthony Davison, the inspector, found: “I am of the view that, while it might result in the site having a greater visual impact than at present, the development would not unduly harm the character or appearance of the area.”

They acknowledged its ‘relatively remote’ location and lack of public transport links but said a new small ice rink would make it ‘more attractive’.

[From Bucks Free Press]

The proposed multi-million pound ski centre may have moved a step closer after developers and a council came to an agreement over the decimated Wycombe Summit site.

Plans to build a new £10m real snow, indoor ski centre and ice rink on the site of the former Abbey Barn Road dry ski slope were turned down by Wycombe District Council last April.

WDC's planning committee gave provisional permission for the 110m long slope in December 2007 but councillors rejected amended plans to increase the width of the building to make way for conference and party rooms.

The original chalet building was destroyed by a massive fire in 2005, which started in the kitchen of the wooden structure.

But at an informal planning enquiry today, developers Snowdome UK, who appealed against the council's rejection, revealed it had submitted 'revised original proposals' without the conference rooms.

A Section 106 Agreement had also been signed off by the developers, WDC, Buckinghamshire County Council and the freehold owners of the land.

This paves the way for the scheme to be given the go ahead, subject to the decision from Planning Inspectorate Antony Davison and planning conditions.

Snowdome UK managing director Martin Smith said: “Indoor ski slopes are opening up all the time around the UK and it is just a matter as to whether we put one here in High Wycombe because it is a fantastic site and the demand for it is there.

“We had more than 300 responses to a week long consultation period during the original planning process and we had just two who did not support the scheme.

“We have been in negotiations with the council to address their concerns, we also now have the Section 106 Agreement in place and our ultimate goal is to get a ski centre back on the site.”

Chris Woodman from the High Wycombe Society was the only member in the 20-strong group to express concerns about the visual impact the development would have on the area, but he seemed satisfied with the developers' mitigation plans.

He added: “We are not against the development but we just want to make sure the correct mitigation measures are in place.

“We will accept the democratic decision on a development that clearly has the public behind it and would prove to be a good facility for the area.”

A number of skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts were also at the hearing held at the council's Queen Victoria Road offices, including Melanie Codling who organised a Facebook campaign to see the centre built.

She told the hearing: “There may not be public transport links up to the site at the moment but I know for a fact people would be willing to walk there.

“And as for the concerns about how it would fit into the woodland, the current state of the site is an eyesore on the area – this is a great opportunity.”

The Planning Inspectorate's decision is expected in “about a month”.

[From ThisIsLocalLondon.co.uk]

A new Facebook group has been created calling for the go ahead for a long-delayed new indoor ski facility at Wycombe summit near London to go ahead. The group has attracted several thousand supporters.

Founder Melanie Codling was surprised by just how popular her Facebook initiative is.
“The response has been amazing, it is growing by the day.” She told local media.

The group calls on the local council, which has rejected the latest plans for the site’s redevelopment by owners the Snowdome Group, who own Europe’s oldest surviving indoor snow centre at Tamworth to the north, to, “do something positive for our community!”

“It is such a great opportunity. It is very frustrating and disappointing for people who would have utilised it.” the group says.

The original centre, which is home to a long dry ski slope, was destroyed by fire in 2005, and despite offering to support redevelopment initiatives the local council has rejected plans for a new indoor snow centre, ice rink and other facilities put forward by Snowdome in recent years. The company are currently appealing the latest rejection.

A spokesman for the Snowdome company told local media they were very pleased about the Facebook group but that even if permission was finally given, the current economic situation now means the development is likely to be further delayed.

The councillor in charge of planning in Wycombe has hit back at claims by the developer of a proposed Snowdome her department is “tied up in bureaucracy”.

Martin Smith, the managing director of Snowdome UK, said the company is considering whether or not to carry on with the development on the site of Wycombe Summit in Abbey Barn Lane.

Last month revised plans which would have seen a 100m real-snow slope, and an ice rink built on the site, were turned down by Wycombe District Council.

However, Cllr Jean Teesdale has hit back at the bureaucracy claims, saying: “If by this Snowdome mean that they were required to provide a planning application of the same standard that everyone else has to, then yes I would agree with them.

“While the planning system is complex, it exists to protect the environment for the benefit of local residents, and I for one know that Wycombe is a better place because of it.

“The prospect of a new, real snow indoor ski centre and ice rink in Wycombe is a very exciting opportunity, but it has to be in accordance with the planning polices in force for this area.”

The plans for the building were rejected because they were in an area of ancient woodland on a prominent hillside and councillors wanted assurances funds would be put in place in case the business failed.

She added: “Many major developments have come forward, gone through community consultation, been granted planning permission and are now being built in the time that the Snowdome application has been under consideration.

“So my challenge to Snowdome is to learn the lessons of these other schemes and to work with us to create a development that we can all be proud of and that is sympathetic to the local area's planning policies and needs.”

[From: thisislocallondon.co.uk]

Developers of a multimillion pound ski centre say they are considering pulling the scheme out of High Wycombe because of council “bureaucracy”.

Plans to put a new real snow indoor ski centre and ice rink, which would cost more than £10m, on the site of the former Wycombe Summit slopes were turned down by councillors in April.

Now Martin Smith, the managing director of Snowdome UK, said the company is now considering whether or not to carry on with the development.

He said: “We’re living through a time when billions in public money is being pumped into developments, but this one is funded entirely by private backers.

“We are currently considering our future. Part of those considerations is do we walk away? Have we lost the appetite for it, or do we try again?

“There are a lot of places which would welcome a development like this. I would draw people in from miles around and bring them to High Wycombe.

“It’s my reading of the situation that the community at large are still very much in favour of this facility.”

He added more than 90 jobs would be created at management, technical and entry levels if the facility were built.

In December 2007 Wycombe District Council’s planning committee gave provisional permission for the 110m long slope, which would sit above the old dry ski slope on the site in Abbey Barn Lane.

The original chalet building was destroyed by a massive fire in 2005, which started in the kitchen of the wooden structure.

However, members of the planning committee rejected amended plans which included increasing the width of the building covering the slope, and adding new party rooms above the ice rink.

Mr Smith said one condition councillors had insisted on was the company putting £150,000 into an account which could be accessed if the facility went bust, to reforest the area.

“They seem totally tied up in the bureaucracy of the planning system. This development has more than £10m of investment to bring about this facility,” he added.

“We put the money into the account, but the legal officers recommended refusal because they were not satisfied with the legal form of this bond we put down.

“If they are not happy they should have told us, as we could have changed it until they are.”

Councillors also raised concerns over the visual impact of the new building, and over the preservation of the forest around it.

“We’re building over one of the existing ski slopes. There was already a dry ski slope there which is highly visible from the other side of the valley.

“What we would put there is a cedar roof, which would be much better.

“We also want to run more outdoor pursuits like orienteering, and use the 96 acres of woods around for educational purposes.”

Paul Wells, spokesman for Wycombe District Council, said: “We are committed to promoting the leisure and employment facilities in the district. However, we are unable to comment on specific applications.”

THE proposed development comes after the original wooden building at the dry ski slope burned to the ground four years ago.

It is believed to have started when a kitchen fire in the chalet at Abbey Barn Lane spread to the roof.

About 50 firefighters were called to tackle the blaze, but they had huge problems in their efforts to extinguish the flames.

The building continued to smoulder because the wooden hut had collapsed and fire crews could not gain direct access to it.

And firefighters faced further problems because there were no water hydrants near the isolated site in High Wycombe.

They were forced to close off Abbey Barn Lane while they used a hydrant at the bottom of the hill in Abbey Barn Road.

The dry ski slopes themselves were not damaged by the fire, which broke out on November 22 2005.

Plans for an indoor real-snow facility had been on the cards at the time however.

Martin Smith, managing director of SD Leisure Ltd, told the Bucks Free Press at the time: “We acquired the Summit around October 2003 and our acquisition was principally to be able to explore the opportunity of creating an indoor snow centre.

“We now have to move at a pace. That is born out of necessity because we have no facility.”

[From ThisIsLocalLondon.co.uk]

The SnowDome Group have announced that construction of their second snow, ice and leisure venue, to be located at High Wycombe, will commence in September 2008. The planning application was unanimously approved by all members of Wycombe District Council Planning Committee last December. The application has now received the final seal of approval from the Government Office South East.

A rather buoyant Martin Smith, MD of SnowDome Group Limited explained “Even though planning consent was granted at the end of last year the application was forwarded to the Government Office South East as it represented a ‘departure from the local plan’. We were hoping and expecting the process to take a few weeks for them to ratify the local decision from the council and I’m delighted to report that it sailed through quicker than expected. Now, after all this time and hard effort, we are finally in a position to push ahead and build the UK’s second SnowDome”

To be built on the former site of the Wycombe Summit dry ski slope, the new Wycombe SnowDome will be the closest indoor snow centre to London sitting on junction 4 of the M40. The facilities will include a 120 metre real snow slope, 30 metre real snow academy slope, ice rink, dedicated children's snow play area, children’s party rooms, a specialist snow sports retailer plus food and beverage offerings including a Starbucks Coffee outlet. The existing outdoor 300 metre dry ski slope will remain and a new announcement from Smith indicates there are now plans to place snow on this slope during the winter.

“We are looking forward to utilizing our unique and extensive experience in operating indoor snow with this fantastic new development. After operating the SnowDome in Tamworth for over 14 years we have a wealth of knowledge and a pioneering outlook which continues to push the boundaries of the industry. Indeed it is now our intention to utilize our snow production capability to ‘snow-up’ the outdoor 300 metre slope during the colder winter period. This will create the longest real snow slope in the country by far, with the added benefit of skiing and snowboarding outdoors in beautiful woodland surroundings.


An SMS text service will be in operation to inform our visitors of imminent snow cover on the dendix slope. Just imagine the excitement from skiers and snowboarders when they receive a text announcing that the weather’s good this weekend and that snow is planned for the 300 metre slope. Last weeks cold weather spell we experienced would be the ideal conditions”

The only formality left for SnowDome Group now is to sign off the outstanding 106 Agreement with Wycombe District Council. Such points include the formalizing of the agreed financial contribution to the Wycombe Transportation Strategy, the Master Travel plan which covers matters such as proposals to promote car sharing. Also included within the 106 Agreement is the Woodland Management Plan, which has already been discussed and agreed by the two parties.

Smith concluded, “Now it’s full steam ahead with concluding the construction tender process and awarding the final construction contract. The 12 month build will commence in September 2008 as planned with an opening date of September 2009. This is truly fantastic news from all current and future snow enthusiasts of the region.”

For more details visit www.wycombesnowdome.co.uk

The SnowDome Group has acquired planning consent to build its fantastic indoor snow and ice venue at the site of the former dry slope site in High Wycombe.

More visuals here on SCUK.
At a meeting of Wycombe District Council Planning Committee last night (Wednesday 5th December 2007) all 12 members of the Committee unanimously approved the planning application for SnowDome Group Limited to develop the Wycombe SnowDome.

The application is now forwarded to Government Office South East (G.O.S.E.) as the consent granted by the local planning authority (Wycombe District Council) is a “departure from the local plan”. Accordingly central government, in the form of G.O.S.E., will need to ratify the local decision. This process should take a number of weeks only.

Martin Smith, Managing Director, said “This is fantastic news. We acquired the dry ski site 4 years ago with the explicit intent of developing our indoor snow & ice business. Tonight’s decision is a huge leap forward for the development.”

When asked about the timescale Martin Smith added “We intend to now proceed through with the preparation of tender drawings and subsequently award a contract for the construction. Presuming upon a build period of 12 months we would love to get started with the build in September of 2008 with a view to opening the venue in September 2009.”

The Wycombe SnowDome will be the closest indoor snow centre to London sitting on junction 4 of the M40. The facilities will include a 100M real snow slope, a real snow academy slope, a leisure ice rink and a children’s snow play area along with food and beverage offerings including a Starbucks Coffee outlet. The existing outdoor 300M dry ski slope will remain and the Wycombe SnowDome will be the only site in the UK that combines real snow with outdoor dry slope skiing – the best of both worlds!


More information at www.wycombesnowdome.co.uk/

High Wycombe's ski centre looks set to rise from the ashes after its redevelopment plans were given the thumbs up by councillors.

Members of Wycombe District Council's Development Control Committee tonight voted unanimously to pass the application put forward by the owners of Wycombe Summit.

Snowdome Ltd wants to build a new icerink, reception area, function rooms and viewing gallery along with a newly enclosed 100 metre training and nursery slope at the site in Abbey Barn Lane.

A new four-story club house will also be constructed as part of the plans to replace the original building, which was ravaged in a devastating fire two years ago.

Since then the site has been shut down and become derelict.

Martin Smith, managing director of Staffordshire-based Snowdome, said he was delighted with tonight's decision.

"It's been four years since we aquired the site, two years since the lodge burnt down and finally our application has progressed substantially," he said.

[Source: Bucks Free Press]

Bucks Free Press reports that:

THE company hoping to build a new indoor ski centre in High Wycombe says it is taking extra fire precautions after the previous building burnt down.

The Snowdome Group submitted plans for the new facility in Abbey Barn Lane in January and if it gets the go-ahead a bigger and better water supply will be installed at the site.

Martin Smith, managing director of Snowdome Group, said this is being done as firefighters had difficulty tackling the blaze in November 2005, which destroyed Wycombe Summit, because of a lack of hydrants at the rural site.

The new buildings, which will house an ice rink, a real snow slope, climbing wall and a function room, will also be better protected against fire.

If the plans are passed by Wycombe District Council, which is due to discuss them by the end of April, it is hoped the 14,000 square foot site will re-open in September 2008. There has been a lot of support for the plans, but the Environment Agency has objected to them with concerns it could increase flood risk to the surrounding area.

Although the site is in a low risk flood zone the agency is worried the plans could add to the amount of rain running off the hill. It has asked the Snowdome Group to address this and show it can be controlled efficiently.

Mr Martin said: "We have got more information to provide to the environment agency. Our level of information for the environment agency needs to be greater in detail and that's currently being worked upon."

He hopes once the agency has that information it will withdraw its objection. He was aso encouraged that so many people had taken time to voice their support for the plans.

"We are entirely confident that it will be a success.

"The planning hurdle has been the focus of a great deal of attention," he added.

"If we get planning it's all do-able thereafter. We're just really excited about it. We're designing this to provide great facilities for the community."

The new snowdome could also feature a green roof, which will be able to grow vegetation.

Small flowering, drought tolerant plants will be able to take root on top of the buildings, eventually turning their roofs green.

A report in Bucks Free Press reports:

A real snow ski centre at Wycombe Summit could be in business by September 2008 if plans are approved this month.

The multi-million pound 14,000 sq ft development at the Abbey Barn Lane site, is set to be discussed by Wycombe district councillors by the end of this month.

Wycombe Summit was burnt to the ground in November 2005, but would reopen as Snowdome, with indoor slopes, ice rink and rock climbing.

It has been given huge public backing since plans were submitted in January.

Letters from residents supporting it have streamed into Wycombe District Council and environmental groups have been impressed with its sensitivity to the area.

Out of 80 people who took part in a public consultation last year, 63 backed the Snowdome while only two were against and 15 responses remained impartial.

Organisations including Sport England and Natural England have also given their backing.

Martin Smith, managing director of Snowdome Group Ltd, said: "We are delighted that the overwhelming majority continue to be enthusiastic about our proposed development.

"It's consistent with the feedback from the public consultation exercise. What is particularly encouraging is people have made the effort to write to support this, when it's usually people who want to complain about something who bother to write."

He added: "We're working hard on the next stage of development, working on the assumption that we will get consent. We have to work on that basis to start to put a plan together and source companies."

Concerns have been raised however by the Environment Agency (EA) which said there was no indication that enough water storage would be on site.

It said it is worried that there could be an increasing flood risk to the area around the dome.

The Chiltern Society made a u-turn on its original view of Wycombe Summit by choosing to give the plan its blessing. It praised its environmentally-friendly living' roof, made from a water-proof covering which allows plants to be grown on the top layer.

Robin Batute was a part-time snowboarding instructor at Wycombe Summit before the 2005 fire.

He said: "To replace the old dry slope facility with a new artificial snow slope, as well as other exciting amenities like an ice rink and climbing wall would be a huge benefit for the area."

But Sarah Hughes, managing director of Fresca, based at Abbey Barn Business Centre, claimed more traffic would put employees who cycle or walk to work in danger - unless better lighting and footpaths were provided.

She said: "Higher levels of traffic on Abbey Barn Lane will make these environmentally friendly modes of transport more treacherous."

Snowdome Group Ltd is set to give more information to the EA about drainage.

There's some interesting comments from readers online if you click through to the original article.

The company which operates one of the world’s longest established indoor snow centres, the 15 year old Tamworth Snowdome, has submitted plans for an indoor snow centre at High Wycombe, near London.

High Wycombe had been one of the world’s major dry ski slope operations for more than a decade, having first opened in 1994. However a fire 18 months ago in late 2005 destroyed the main buildings there and following this it was considered no longer viable to trade as a dry ski slope.

The parent company, SnowDome Group Limited, had already acquired the dry ski business in 2003 with the explicit intent to develop an indoor snow centre there and since the fire the company has been going through a rigorous design, planning and consultation programme with the aim of building a new indoor snow centre.

The planning application was lodged earlier this year with the local government offices and a decision is expected on the development within the next four to six weeks, by late April.

Assuming the decision is favourable building contracts will be awarded through the spring and Summer with work commencing in September. After a 12 month build and fit out programme Wycombe SnowDome would commence trading in September 2008.

Plans for the new dome include continuing with the 300m outdoor artificial surface slope which was not damaged in the fire, giving a unique combination of indoor snow and outdoor artificial surface slope combination on the one site. The plans also include what was the first suggestion of a sustainable grass roof covering the structure, however a second indoor snow centre proposal at Hemel is also proposing a grass roof under a revised planning application.

The SnowDome Group Limited are so long established in the industry that they own UK copyright on the name ‘SnowDome’ and formerly operated one of the world’s original indoor snow centres in Adelaide, Australia, which is now closed.

www.wycombesnowdome.co.uk

The Snowdome Group, owners of the Tamworth Snowdome, one of the longest establisahed indoor snow centres in the world, has updated local media in High wymcombe, near London, on their plans to redevelop the artificial-surface slope centre and add an indoor snow facility.

The Wycombe Snow Centre in Abbey Barn Lane would open by 2008 to replace Wycombe Summit that burnt down following a kitchen fire a year ago.

The centre will include a 100m indoor real snow slope as well as the popular 300 metre outdoor run from the existing facility which was not damaged by the fire.

There would also be an ice rink, restaurants and shops as well as somewhere to snowboard and rock climb, all on the site.

Martin Smith, managing director of the Snowdome Group said: "It is our intention to create a superb, prestigious and rare indoor snow and ice venue in High Wycombe. A facility that will provide employment locally and great healthy family-based activities for the local and regional community."

The plans were first shown to members of Wycombe District Council at a pre-public consultation presentation earlier in the year. The company hopes to apply for planning permission shortly.

Hilary Barber, club secretary for the Wycombe Phoenix Ski Club, said: "I think it's an excellent facility for High Wycombe, not just for competitive skiers and snowboarders but for schools and recreational users too." The club was formed by 30 members of Wycombe Race Club after the fire destroyed their clubhouse.

The firm behind a bid to bring a snowdome and ice rink to High Wycombe is set to reveal its plans at a public exhibition before seeking planning approval.

Snowdome Group, which owns Wycombe Summit, wants to build a state-of-the-art facility in Abbey Barn Lane to replace the ski centre that was destroyed by a fire in November last year.

The site has remained closed since the fire because it was not deemed practical to reopen.

Martin Smith, managing director of Snowdome Group, has said plans for the new centre will be shown at a public consultation to give people the chance to have their say on the design.

continued...
Locations and dates when people can view the plans are expected to be revealed next week.

Drawings showing what the snowdome and ice rink could look like have already been released.

The plans include a 100-metre indoor real snow slope as well as a 300-metre outdoor run. The snow would be generated from a machine on the site.

This follows a presentation that was made to Wycombe District Council last month.

Mr Smith said: "The presentation went very well and provided there are no major objections from the public consultation the centre is likely to look like it does in these plans."

He said the company expects to submit a full application to the council by the end of the year with the ambition of opening in 2008.

The snowdome is expected to create around 80 jobs.

Hilary Barber, club secretary for the Wycombe Phoenix Ski Club, said: "I think it's an excellent facility for High Wycombe, not just for competitive skiers and snowboarders but for schools and recreational users too.

"We have seen the plans and we can't wait for it to be up and running again."

All staff who worked at the ski centre were made redundant following the closure and the centre has remained empty, although the site has been given 24-hour security.

The Snowdome Group owns another indoor real-snow centre in Tamworth, Staffordshire.

[From ThisIsBucks.co.uk]

They say a picture speaks a 1000 words, so here's the equivalent of 10,000 words for you. Clearly shown are the indoor lessons snow slope, indoor 100m snow slope and the 300m outdoor slope. The retention of much of the original outdoor slope will keep many of the locals happy, but whether it remains Dendix or moves to another surface remains to be seen.

Martin Smith at SnowDome says they are making solid process with the planning process and they're close to agreeing a venue and dates to hold a Public Consultation Excercise in High Wycombe during October. This will be a pre-requisite to a formal planning application being submitted.

The plans show here are all subject to this Public Consultation Excercise, are currently exclusive to Snowboard Club UK and used with the permission of SnowDome.

SnowDome are proposing a 100m indoor slope and retaining the 300m outdoor slope in plans to be put forward at the end of this year for Wycombe Summit. They hope the slope with be open by 2008.

An application to build a snowdome and ice rink at Wycombe Summit is expected next month with the company behind the plans still hopeful of a re-opening next year.

Snowdome group, the company which owns the ski centre in Abbey Barn Lane, High Wycombe, is getting ready for a final pre-application with members of Wycombe District Council's development control committee in the next few weeks before finally putting forward the bid.

The ski centre has remained closed since a fire destroyed its chalet in November last year because bosses said it was not practical to reopen the centre in its current state.

The company was close to submitting the plans before the fire.

The new indoor real-snow dome will be built on the current site of the ski centre and bosses remain optimistic that the centre could be open by winter 2007.

Martin Smith, managing director of Snowdome Group, said how quickly the site is able to reopen will depend on how smoothly the planning process goes.

He said: "So far everything has happened as punctually as we could have hoped for. We have been advised that it is best to give the planners one last look before our final application. We have had lots of support and everybody seems to be favourable."

Mr Smith said he was not able to reveal details of the application, but it has previously been reported that the new build will include an ice rink at the request of people in the town.

Mr Smith said he hoped to be able to give people the chance to cast their eye over the plans when the application is submitted, although this will come when it is too late to alter the design. He said: "I am mindful that there is a lot of interest in this but I think people will like what they see."

All staff who worked at the ski centre were made redundant following the closure and the centre has remained empty, although the site has been given 24-hour security.

The Snowdome group owns an indoor real-snow centre in Tamworth, Staffordshire.

[From Bucks Free Press]

Bucks Free Press reports that

Wycombe Summit could be set for a white Christmas, despite a raging fire wreaking destruction there just four weeks ago.

The ski centre in Abbey Barn Lane had its chalet razed to the ground last month in a fire which cancelled all its Christmas bookings and left staff facing uncertain futures.

But it could be set for a return after bosses revealed they were going to press ahead with plans to bring an indoor real-snow centre to High Wycombe.

SD Leisure Ltd, which own the site, has always wanted to bring a real-snow facility to the town and give the public an icy experience.

Although the fire has disrupted plans, bosses say it means the process must be speeded up with an application set for spring next year.

Martin Smith, managing director of SD Leisure Ltd, said: "We acquired the Summit around October 2003 and our acquisition was principally to be able to explore the opportunity of creating an indoor snow centre."

Mr Smith said the application had been coming along well before the fire and they had been quite relaxed over a submission date.

But he said the devastation meant plans needed to be reviewed sooner because they now have no facility at all to trade in.

He said: "We now have to move at a pace. That is born out of necessity because we have no facility."

SD Leisure Ltd, which is part of Snowdome Holdings, also owns the Tamworth Snowdome in Staffordshire and believes the snow-vision would benefit High Wycombe.

Mr Smith said they would plan to keep the current slope and simply make the centre an indoor facility. This would look to accommodate skiers, snowboarders and tobogganing.

However, he urged caution because the plans needed to be reshaped following the fire to make allowances for the changes to the site.

The future of around 70 staff and the company's insurance claim are still awaiting clarification, although Mr Smith said the company was currently honouring all regular staff payments.

He added: "The way forward is snow, absolutely.

"As far as skiing and boarding is concerned it is the real thing you can't substitute that, and it also provides massive leisure alternatives."

Bucks Free Press reports that the SnowDome's discussions with the local council are still ongoing for indoor snow at High Wycombe, but that no formal application has been made as yet. The article reads:

High Wycombe is set to get an indoor ski arena with real snow to replace Wycombe Summit.

The SnowDome group, the owner of the dry ski slope in Abbey Barn Lane, is in talks with Wycombe District Council over replacing the facility with an enclosed piste, similar to one in Milton Keynes.

Martin Smith, SnowDome group managing director, said: "We are in discussions with the council the opportunity to bring real snow to the site is something of interest to us."

The company made its aspirations to build a snow dome in the town clear when it bought Wycombe Summit out of receivership at the end of last year for an undisclosed sum.

At 300 metres, Wycombe Summit's main slope is the longest in England. The business also boasts a ski and snowboard school as well as nursery slopes on the 70-acre site.

Mr Smith added that any new indoor facility would be built around the route of the current slope and would cater for families as well as serious skiers with activities such as tobogganing and snow tubing.

A spokesman f o r Wycombe District Council confirmed it has had some initial discussions with the owners of Wycombe Summit regarding a snow dome on this site but has not received any formal applications.

The company owns a snow dome in Tamworth, Staffordshire, consisting of a 170-metre real snow slope open throughout the year, but does not own the facility in Milton Keynes.

There are currently only three indoor real snow arenas in the UK. The snow is created by guns that force pressurised air through chilled water to produce a fine mist which freezes to form snow crystals.

Cllr Kathy Dix (Con, Ryemead) who supported the building of Wycombe Summit, said the idea of a snow dome sounded exciting but she needed to see the plans before forming an opinion of any development.

Cllr Peter Cartwright, (Con, Ryemead) said he would be following any application with interest as he looks out on the Summit from his home across the valley in Guinions Road.

In July 1999 outline permission was given for a 3,000 sq metre health and fitness centre at Wycombe Summit and full permission was granted in September last year. The SnowDome Group inherited this plan when it bought the business but construction of that has been put on hold while discussions about the future of the slope take place.

In October this year the longest artificial ski slope in the UK, Wycombe Summit was purchased by the SnowDome group of companies. This purchase follows some months of speculation about the future of the venue whilst it was in receivership, but we are pleased to confirm that the future is financially secure and it's very much business as usual.

We have been (and still are!) admirers of Wycombe Summit and its facilities and it is highly regarded as one of the very best artificial ski slopes in the UK. Therefore, as the new owners, we are very excited about the opportunities and possibilities that exist for Wycombe Summit as part of the SnowDome group. In the immediate term we are getting to know and understand the business more thoroughly. We also look forward to using our experience from operating Tamworth in order to review and improve the service, facilities and even the range of activities offered at Wycombe Summit.

I expect there will be some interest and questions will be raised as to whether we intend to bring 'snow' to Wycombe. It is the case that as operators of 'snow' we would very much like to see snow at Wycombe Summit. Clearly it's early days yet. As and when we pursue these initiatives, they will always have to stand up to the scrutiny of both commercial viability and also to obtaining the appropriate consent. Therefore, at this stage, it would be premature to try and create a hard image of what might be achieved.

So there are exciting times ahead and we are looking forward to the future and informing you of the changes as they happen. Until then you can always check out www.wycombesummit.com or give them a call on 01494 474711.

[Exclusive press release from SnowDome]

We had an early look at a press release that SnowDome are issuing about their recent purchase of High Wycombe dry slope. Although they gave an early indication that they'd let it tick over for a while, they now seem keen to develop the site and there's already planning permission in place for a health and leisure development at the far end of the existing car park. You didn't have to read between the lines too much to see that they definately have plans to create an indoor slope at the slope and they have the whole woodland area to play with.

This has been circulating on the grapevine for a few days, but on Friday the deal was done and SnowDome become the proud new owners of the longest dryslope in England. There will be a press release within the next few days, but for the immediate future Wycombe Summit will be business as usual.

Wycombe Summit Ltd went into administrative receivership on 15th July 2003.

The centre is continuing to trade and operate as normal and is looking forward to a successful winter season.

Wycombe Summit Ski and Snowboard Centre is England’s longest dry slope and world class ski and snowboard school. With a 300m main slope, 100m trainer slope and several nursery areas with three lifts, all floodlit and fully lubricated, Wycombe Summit boasts unparalleled facilities for both the complete beginner and the more experienced. Children are well catered for with the Big Foot Club running at weekends and ski bobs available for the younger children. It is an ideal birthday party location for all ages. There’s also a special schools out programme to watch out for providing extra fun and activities for the holidays. The Summit café bar is open all day for delicious food and refreshments. And it’s all set in 70 acres of woodland where you can also take part in orienteering.

[Press Release]

The Independent reports that:

The Bank of Scotland has called in the receivers at England's longest dry ski slope, Wycombe Summit.

Receiver Gareth Roberts, of Hurst Morrison Thomson, is now seeking a buyer for the High Wycombe business, which boasts a 300m ski slop and a log cabin-style centre housing a bar, restaurant and shop.

Mr Roberts was appointed after it emerged that Wycombe Summit was no longer able to service its debt. The Bank of Scotland, now part of HBOS, holds the largest tranche and is owed £500,000 out of a total of around £2m. The rest is held by shareholders who invested in the business when it was set up in 1995.

Mr Roberts said Wycome Summit had failed to generate enough revenues, though he insisted the site remained popular with skiers. "It will be a very good business when freed from the burden of debt," he added.

The company also has outline planning permission for a health and fitness club.

A price has not been set for the business, and Mr Roberts hopes to attract a number of bids. "Without paying the interest on the debt ... it covers its costs. So I'm under no fantastic pressure. "

However, he conceded that Wycombe Summit would have to be sold as a going concern as it would not raise enough cash if sold off in parts. Mr Roberts added that the site had "absolutely no use" other than as a dry ski slope.

There are only a handful of ski slopes in the UK, but it is an area that has attracted former Millennium Dome manager PY Gerbeau. He is chief executive of X-Leisure, which operates a leisure centre in Milton Keynes featuring a ski slope.

M. Gerbeau was unfazed by the collapse of Wycombe Summit, saying the use of real snow at X-Leisure meant the two businesses were not comparable. He added: "It is as different as night and day. It is like trying to swim in a tub instead of a swimming pool."

M. Gerbeau said he had no interest in buying the site and converting it into a real snow ski slope.