Plans for what would have been the UK's biggest ski slope have been scuppered and the project could be over before it's begun. Local councillors in Merthyr Tydfil have raised concerns, citing problems with the location, visuals and ecological impact of the multi million pound structure. Over a hundred locals wrote to the council to support the plans, while only around twenty opposed it.
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00:00Wales is certainly not known as a skiing hotspot. We do have a few dry slopes dotted around,
00:07but generally speaking you'll need to head to the Alps rather than the valleys if you're
00:10looking to go skiing properly. Plans over the last few years though were in place to
00:15make Merthyr Tydfil the new centre of skiing in the UK, with the country's largest ski
00:19slope known as Rydercar West earmarked to be built near the town, but there are fears
00:24from supporters it will be recommended for refusal by the local council.
00:29It's ahead to have a massive indoor slope, an indoor tropical swimming area, outdoor
00:33and indoor adventure activities and hundreds of hotel rooms, hoping to make it a real centre
00:38of leisure and a luxury attraction for Merthyr.
00:42Concerns have been raised though, focusing primarily on the location, the look of the
00:47site and its ecological impact on the land. In terms of that ecological impact, there
00:51are a number of significant natural protected areas that would be affected by the project,
00:56including a site of specific scientific interest, a site of importance for national conservation
01:00and an ancient woodland which is covered by a tree protection order. These will be massive
01:05barriers for the project and it seems like there is a real possibility it stops it at
01:09the first hurdle, despite a favourable response from the general public.
01:14The council received 146 positive responses in favour of the project, with 23 against
01:19the proposals from locals. If the project does get the go ahead it will bring hundreds
01:25of jobs to the local economy, according to the developers, and they say there will be
01:29a supply chain benefit to the local area, a boost in visitor numbers to the valleys
01:33and the new features will be a boost for locals to take up skiing.
01:38The council will vote on the future of the site over the next week, but for now, nothing
01:42is certain.