The world’s first winter sports resort has been given the go-ahead.

The world’s first winter sports resort, to be built by developers Onslow Suffolk, has been given the go-ahead in Suffolk, UK. The £350 million SnOasis will house Europe’s largest indoor ski slope – with a 100 metre vertical drop – and will offer 14 different winter sporting activities.

The privately-funded scheme was given the go-ahead by the Department of Communities and Local Government and will comprise a 350 acre site in a disused quarry.

According to Onslow Suffolk, the site will be a huge boost to tourism in the local area – visitor numbers are expected to be in the region of 650,000 a year – and will play a part in hosting international winter sports events, ultimately bringing “further benefits and kudos to the country”.

Godfrey Spanner, Managing Director of Onslow Suffolk, said: “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.”

The centre will take around two and a half years to build, providing 3,500 construction jobs and 1,800 full-time jobs when complete. It will source around 75% of its energy from low-carbon and renewable sources, and included in the local area improvements plans is the planting of 130,000 trees, along with educational initiatives.

There is significant opposition to the development. SnOasis Community Alliance is a local group which has campaigned against the project, citing among other points the impact on the local environment and the issue of traffic around the site. However, in light of the development, improvements are being made to the local roads leading in to the area and a new mainline railway station is being built to link to London’s Liverpool Street station.

To find out more about SnOasis, visit its website: www.snoasis.co.uk