What has been described as "the biggest snow and ski park in the south west" has been given the go-ahead in mid Cornwall.
Called Altitude Snow Park, it will include three ski dry slopes with beginner, intermediate and advanced runs for skiing, snowboarding and tubing, which are being designed in collaboration with Snow Sport England.
The visitor centre will feature a 'hub' building, housing a restaurant and associated food store and kitchen, bar, open plan reception welcome area, changing rooms and toilets, hire shop for equipment, and first aid room.
Also being proposed is an outdoor grassy toboggan area, picnic areas throughout the site and an outdoor landscaped amphitheatre, which the developers say could allow for an event space for story-telling, acoustic music, dry weather outdoor schooling and performances.
Planning consultants Situ8 had submitted the plans on behalf of Dan Olford – a hybrid application asking for full planning permission for the snow park, with parking and access, and outline planning permission for additional car parking and a play area for Biscovey School, and six self-build residential plots, with access only considered.
The site sits on land north east of East Crinnis Farm, near Biscovey Academy School in Par.
The proposal received a mixed reaction when it went public, with those supporting it saying it would bring year-round tourism to the St Austell area, broaden leisure opportunities for both locals and visitor, and create 30 full-time equivalent jobs.
However, those objecting described the development as “wholly inappropriate for the area”, questioned if it could be sustainable long term and claimed it would be “eroding the countryside.”
In total there were 17 public objections submitted to Cornwall Council and 25 comments of support.
The application stated the ski slope “would be the first of its kind in Cornwall, and presents a unique and desirable attraction for the local Par and St Austell, which would potentially attract visitors from further afield."
It also set out details for the car park to include spaces for 213 cars and 15 disabled spaces as well as room for four coaches.
The plans said there would be discounted access to the park based on postcode, adding: “We are very keen to be a local facility for the community and local schools and colleges.”
When considering whether to approve the application, the planning officer at Cornwall Council said the scheme would provide some short-term benefits to the economy during its construction and longer-term benefits from having a new “sports tourism destination.”
However, they acknowledged that there would be a loss of open countryside and a loss of undeveloped land.
They viewed it as “negligible/minor harm to the setting of the area of outstanding natural beauty”, but added: “Of considerable weight in this case are the benefits that the proposal would have in terms of making a significant contribution to the tourism offer for Cornwall and associated social and economic benefits.”
They went on to conclude that taking all factors into account, including flood risk and neighbouring properties, the “considerations weighed in favour of granting planning permission.”
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