Welsh Indoor Snow Centre Status Update Expected This Autumn

An update on the progress of a long-planned indoor snow slope in Wales is expected this autumn.

The Marvel Group, which plan to build the £300m centre on a 550-acre former quarry site at Rhydycar West near Merthyr Tydfil say that their plans have been under review by the local council.

The company say they’ve now had initial feedback allowing them to fine tune their plans and are now waiting further critical feedback from the council planning department, expected this autumn.

The complex is planned to include a 400m indoor snow centre, more than twice as long as any of the five existing indoor snow slopes in the UK, an adventure centre, indoor tropical waterpark, spa facilities, hotel and woodland lodges.

Marvel acquired the site in 2013 and over the past decade have been investing heavily in the pre-planning, surveys and detailed studies of the land, along with the project’s potential impact on the region.

A spokesman for Rhydycar West said: “We understand and appreciate the patience and support of everyone who has been following our proposals and awaiting a planning decision. Like the public, we have also been waiting for essential feedback and comments on the application. The application is significant and requires thorough feedback from a range of consultees, which can take time. However, we note that there are no objections from any statutory consultees. This includes mitigation and compensation plans for ecological issues which have been deemed acceptable by Natural Resources Wales (NRW).”

“Additionally, we are heartened by a recent joint statement from Dawn Bowden MS and Gerald Jones MP, who have recognised the substantial economic and social opportunities that our proposals will bring to Merthyr Tydfil and the surrounding region. With the council now in recess, it is anticipated that a planning decision will be made after the summer,” the spokesperson continued.

Gerald Jones MP and Dawn Bowden MS’s statement includes, “Merthyr Tydfil rarely gets the chance for a major development that could transform the town’s fortunes, benefit its young people, and significantly boost the profile of the wider Valleys region.

“Over recent years we have met with the developers behind the Rhydycar West proposal on a number of occasions as they have wanted to discuss their evolving ideas for the site. We have always felt that the project is an interesting one and could be impressive should the funding be available to turn it into reality.