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SnOasis

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 This article or section contains information about expected future buildings or structures.
It is likely to contain information of a speculative nature and the content may change as the building approaches completion.

SnOasis is a planned construction that will become the worlds largest indoor ski centre. Construction has not yet begun, but planning permission has been granted and funding secured.

Contents

Planned Development

Architects 3-d model
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Architects 3-d model

SnOasis is a planned development in Great Blakenham, near Ipswich and 80 miles from London. The site is a former Blue Circle cement works and quarry, now restored farmland and chalk grassland. A proportion of the site is in a Special Landscape Area, so should be protected from such development. When completed it will be the largest indoor ski slope (with real snow) in the world - 100 metres high, and half a kilometre long and scope for some 2,000 skiers an hour.

Local Planning permission for the project was granted on 21st April 2006. There is likely to be a Public Inquiry, however, which may throw it out. The target date for completion is 2009, but it is already running into problems. The developers are a company called Onslow Suffolk Ltd linked to previously bankrupted companies. A budget of £350 million has been set.

The project may possibly generate up to 1,400 equivalent full time jobs in the local area, mostly low-skilled, low paid, and likely to go to migrant workers, as unemployment is very low in the area. A separate proposal is looking at 537 new homes, though this figure varies depending on the quote.

Considerable concern has been expressed by most members of the public in the local area over traffic congestion, crime, and damage to the environment and local surroundings. Some minor adjustments have been made to help ease congestion, such as a station, but this is inadequate. No changes are to be made to local roads already at full capacity.

There is also protected wildlife on the site that will suffer. The proposal would endanger bats, badgers and newts (all protected) as well as other wildlife.

Features

Concept illustration (credit to Steve Dimes & Gareth Hughes) of the proposed ski slope
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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
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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
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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. Though the developer does keep quoting different things, so watch this space! 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].

Winter Sports

General Sports

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