£350m Suffolk snow dome approved

Plans to build a £350m snow dome that houses winter sports has been approved, subject to strict terms and conditions.

Developer Onslow Suffolk’s SnOasis project will include Europe’s largest indoor ski slope, ice rink, hotels, shops and apartments on the site of an old quarry in Great Blakenham near Ipswich.

But government planners have asked for more information on the snow dome’s carbon footprint.

A final decision will be made by the Secretary of State by 17 September.

The proposal has attracted criticism from the local community, which is concerned with its’ environmental impact and increased traffic congestion.

Onslow Suffolk said £29m worth of benefits would minimise disruption to the local area, including the construction of 120 affordable homes, improvements to local roads and provision of a main line railway station linked to London.