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Green light for £350m ski resort Go-ahead for £350m skiing centre
(20 minutes later)
A £350m winter sports resort can be built on a disused quarry in Suffolk, the government has announced.A £350m winter sports resort can be built on a disused quarry in Suffolk, the government has announced.
The Department of Communities and Local Government has revealed it has given the green-light for the huge SnOasis development to go ahead. The Department of Communities and Local Government has revealed it has given the huge indoor SnOasis development the go ahead.
Developers Onslow Suffolk plan to transform the quarry at Great Blakenham into a holiday destination. Developer Onslow Suffolk plans to transform the quarry at Great Blakenham into a holiday destination.
The project was backed by the business sector but faced opposition from residents and environmental groups. The project was backed by the business sector, but faced opposition from residents and environmental groups.
The Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) said the Secretary of State, Hazel Blears, "is now satisfied that the proposal is largely in accordance with the development plan". The Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) said Secretary of State, Hazel Blears, was now "satisfied that the proposal is largely in accordance with the development plan".
'Enormous benefits' This will be the biggest refrigerator in Europe John Williams, SnOasis Community Alliance opposition group class="" href="/1/hi/england/suffolk/7713197.stm">Developer's four-year battle
The approval came despite opposition from Natural England, which said insufficient efforts had been made to protect great crested newts on the site.The approval came despite opposition from Natural England, which said insufficient efforts had been made to protect great crested newts on the site.
The DCLG's statement said Mrs Blears "regrets that is has not proved possible for Natural England's objection to be satisfactorily resolved".The DCLG's statement said Mrs Blears "regrets that is has not proved possible for Natural England's objection to be satisfactorily resolved".
The developers said the resort would bring "enormous economic benefits" to the country. The developer said the resort would bring "enormous economic benefits" to the country.
They said SnOasis had been designed to become the country's first centre of excellence for winter sports athletes. It said SnOasis had been designed to become the country's first centre of excellence for winter sports athletes.
Godfrey Spanner, managing director of Onslow Suffolk, said he was "thrilled" with the decision. Godfrey Spanner, managing director of Onslow Suffolk, said he was thrilled with the decision.
He said construction could start by mid-2008.He said construction could start by mid-2008.
He added: "At last we have final approval, after eight years and costs running into many millions, we can move forward and give our country something unique to be proud of.He added: "At last we have final approval, after eight years and costs running into many millions, we can move forward and give our country something unique to be proud of.
"SnOasis will now become a reality bringing with it countless opportunities for jobs, the local and national economies, education, athletes and the winter sports industry.""SnOasis will now become a reality bringing with it countless opportunities for jobs, the local and national economies, education, athletes and the winter sports industry."
Disappointed Residents 'saddened'
However SnOasis Community Alliance, a group formed to oppose the development, said it was disappointed with the government's decision.However SnOasis Community Alliance, a group formed to oppose the development, said it was disappointed with the government's decision.
John Williams, the group's chairman, said SnOasis would be damaging for the environment and would lead to congestion on Suffolk's roads.John Williams, the group's chairman, said SnOasis would be damaging for the environment and would lead to congestion on Suffolk's roads.
He said: "I'm disappointed in the government - a government that says it is for the environment and is deciding against it.He said: "I'm disappointed in the government - a government that says it is for the environment and is deciding against it.
"This will be the biggest refrigerator in Europe.""This will be the biggest refrigerator in Europe."
He added that residents of Great Blakenham would be "saddened" by the decision.He added that residents of Great Blakenham would be "saddened" by the decision.