Future Of Planned Indoor Snow Centre For Wales Hangs In Balance

The development of a long-planned £300m indoor snow centre for Rhydcar West near Merthyr Tydfil in Wales currently looks uncertain.

Local councillors are due to vote on whether the project should be allowed to go ahead or not this Wednesday, 12^th March, but planning officers have recommended that the planning committee refuses the application.

That advice has surprised locals who seem to overwhelmingly see the plans, which would bring lots of jobs and leisure opportunities to the region, which has been blighted by declining heavy industry in the region for decades.

The full plan includes what would be the UK’s new largest indoor snow slope at 300 metres long, an indoor tropical waterpark, an indoor activity centre, an outdoor activity area, up to 418 hotel rooms, up to 30 units of woodland lodge accommodation.

The planning officers are recommending refusal because they say it would result in the loss of part of an area of special scientific interest (SSI) and, they say, also does not provide appropriate mitigation and compensation measures in relation to an additional Site of Importance for Nature Conservation  and, they say,

“...because of the scale, mass and changes to the landform, it would fail to effectively integrate with the surrounding context, resulting in an unacceptable adverse visual impact on the landscape.”

The planning report adds: “On balance the potential economic and social benefits including employment creation, significant private investment, and enhanced leisure facilities would not outweigh the harm identified to the important ecological and landscape value of the site. Therefore, the following recommendation is made to refuse.”

In a statement, Marvel, the company behind the Rhydycar West project said: “Since the submission of our planning application in March, 2023, we have worked closely and constructively with the local planning authority at Merthyr Tydfil Council, Welsh Government and all statutory consultees including Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Cadw along with neighbouring councils. “These organisations have carefully considered and reviewed every aspect of our plans. We are naturally delighted that all statutory and Welsh Government consultees do not object to our planning application. This reflects the high quality of our submission and the thoroughness of our approach.

“We have worked collaboratively with stakeholders and carefully listened to their feedback. The quality of our planning application is both a reflection and testament to the support we have received from so many to bring the development proposals to life. However, despite this, Merthyr Tydfil Council’s planning department have been unable to accept the economic case and the benefits the scheme would bring to Merthyr and the surrounding area.

“It is important for the public to know that NRW do not object to the planning application on ecology or landscape grounds. We have agreed and committed to comprehensive ecology mitigation and compensation measures for the land with NRW. Despite this the Merthyr planning team do not agree. The officer’s report flags the impact to Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs). However, having worked closely with Cadw for many years and they have stated that the development will create net benefit in heritage terms.

 “The thoughtful approach of the development proposals has helped to integrate and protect the SAMs and to tell their story. We have worked with Cadw to create a heritage trail so people can experience and understand the historic importance of the land; its role within the wider history of Merthyr Tydfil and the nationally important story of Wales in the industrial revolution and support and connect with the Cyfarthfa Plan. There is overwhelming public and organisational support for the development from the community of Merthyr Tydfil and across the South Wales region. We have received many letters and messages of support including those from Dawn Bowden MS, Gerald Jones MP, Blaenau Gwent Council, Cardiff Council, Torfaen Council, Newport Council, Cardiff Capital Region, Cyfarthfa Foundation, Merthyr College, Tydfil Training, Bike Park Wales, Zip World, Snowsport Wales and GB Snowsport.

“This has also included Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council itself. It is disappointing the officer’s report fails to inform the decision makers and the public at large, as to the strength of support for the scheme and the reasons for such support, which we believe are all material planning considerations."

In an additional twist, it appears that whether Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council refuse or approve the plans on Wednesday, their decision may be overruled by the Welsh Government anyway. A year ago in March 2024 the Government wrote to the council saying that the project had been “called in” and that whilst the planning process could continue, if approved by the council work could not commence until also approved by the Welsh government.