SnOasis

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SnOasis is a planned development that will become the world's largest indoor winter sports resort. Construction has not yet begun, but planning permission has been granted and funding secured.

1 Planned development
2 Features
- 2.1 Winter sports
- 2.2 General sports
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Planned development

Architects 3-d model

SnOasis is a planned development in Great Blakenham near Ipswich, Suffolk. Great Blakenham is approximately 80 miles north of London. The site is a former Blue Circle cement works and quarry, which is now partly restored farmland and chalk grassland. It is a Brownfield site with appropriate terrain to allow the construction of the ski slope, however the ski slope will extend 242 feet above the skyline and a proportion of the site is in a Special Landscape Area [1].

It is claimed that, when completed, this will be the largest indoor ski slope (with real snow) in the world. The slope will be 100 metres high, 500 metres long and accommodate some 2000 skiers an hour. However, there are several higher slopes, including one at Neuss, Germany.^{[citation needed]}

Local planning permission for the project was granted on 21 April 2006. A public inquiry was announced on 26 July 2006^[1] which upheld the decision, subject to conditions^[2]. A final decision will be made by the Secretary of State by 17 September 2008 as to whether the conditions have been met. The target for completion is 2011/12, in time for the London Olympics.

The project developers are Onslow Suffolk Ltd. The project has a budget of £350 million and has secured the necessary financial backing for it to become a reality. The project is expected to create around 2000 new jobs in the local area. There is a separate proposal to build 537 affordable new homes adjacent to the site, although this is yet to be finalised.

Concern has been expressed by some local members of the public over potential traffic congestion, increased crime and damage to the environment and local surroundings. The transport implications of the SnOasis project are to be examined in detail by a transport impact study commissioned by the SnOasis team. The study in particular, will look at the potential for developing a dedicated railway station for the SnOasis site and improve public transport accessibility generally. There is protected wildlife on part of the site and it has been designated a County Wildlife Site by Suffolk Wildlife Trust. The newts and badgers on the site will need to be relocated. A proposed waste incinerator on adjacent land is also cited as a concern.

[edit] Features

Concept illustration (credit to Steve Dimes & Gareth Hughes) of the proposed ski slope

Concept illustration (credit to Steve Dimes & Gareth Hughes) of the proposed covered arena

Concept illustration (credit to Steve Dimes & Gareth Hughes) of the proposed resort including ice skating rink

The centre will boast indoor and outdoor activities to suit a range of age groups. These include a 9-hole golf course, 350 bed 4 star hotel, four screen cinema and lakes for fishing & watersports.

The concept illustrations are credited to Steve Dimes & Gareth Hughes.

[edit] Winter sports

One of the world's largest indoor ski slope: 500m long with 100m vertical drop - virtually International competition standard.
Nursery Slope 100m long with a 9m vertical drop
External Ice Rink
Full length 100m drop dry run bobsleigh track
Cross coutry ski run
Speed Skating / ice track
16m Ice Climbing Wall & 50m Ice Wall