Merthyr could soon become UK’s skiing capital

Local TV

Plans for the longest indoor ski slope in the UK have taken a major step forward and now only need one final ‘okay’ from the local council. The multi-million pound project would become a centre for skiing across the UK, and play host to elite skiers and other snow sports athletes.

Transcript

00:00Parts of the valleys could soon become a hotbed for winter sports for the whole country as

00:06plans for a huge new ski slope and leisure resort in Merthyr Tydfil have moved much closer

00:10to becoming a reality.

00:12The Welsh Government has confirmed it will not call in the Vry de Caer West planning

00:16application meaning Merthyr Tydfil Council now has the final say.

00:20Back in March the Council's planning committee looked at the proposals and despite some officers

00:24recommending refusal, councillors unanimously had rejected that, showing strong support

00:28for the scheme and the potential boost it could give the town.

00:32The application will now return to the committee earlier in the new year for a final decision.

00:37In a letter to the council, Welsh Government officials acknowledged part of the development

00:41clash with national policy, but they said the issues weren't significant enough to take

00:45away the decision from the local authority.

00:47If approved, Vry de Caer West would include the UK's largest and longest indoor snow centre,

00:54becoming the main training base for GB and Welsh National Olympic and Paralympic snow

00:58sports teams.

00:59The resort would also feature a tropical indoor water park, indoor and outdoor adventure facilities,

01:05hotels, woodland lodges and a major events and conference centre.

01:11Developers say the project could deliver major regeneration benefits.

01:14CEO Ali T. Becken said he was delighted with the news and thanked the local community for

01:20its support over many years.

01:23Snow Sports Cymru also welcomed the update.

01:25Chief Executive Robin Kellan said it would massively increase opportunities for people to try skiing

01:31and snowboarding, as well as supporting elite athletes across the UK.

01:35So if plans get the final yes from the council, Merthyr could soon become a hotbed for skiing

01:40across Wales.

01:41Here's Pete Watkins reporting for Local TV.

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended