SnOasis

A giant winter sports and leisure complex in Suffolk is one step closer to being built, thanks to support from Motion. We were appointed to support a planning application for SnOasis, which is to be the world’s largest real snow indoor ski slope, with a 415 metre long slope. In addition, the proposals include a village centre, holiday accommodation (350 bed hotel, 100 holiday apartments and 350 chalets), an entertainment dome, restaurants, retail outlets and many other sporting facilities. Once built, the amenity is likely to create around 1,800 jobs.

The main challenge was to renegotiate a historic planning obligation to provide a new railway station at Great Blakenham. This was achieved through the provision of a high quality shuttle bus service to/from Stowmarket railway station, which represented a very substantial cost saving.

The impact of traffic associated with the development was considered, including the A14 which forms part of Highway England’s road network. The analysis demonstrated that the proposals could be accommodated without a severe impact on the highway network.

The scheme involved a number of off-site highway mitigation schemes, which were developed in consultation with Suffolk County Council.