SnOasis - The Final Hurdle

Most of those involved in the competitive skiing arena will have been watching the progress of the SnOasis project. The public inquiry having finished in mid June the project has to overcome its final hurdle.

Although it is expected the inspector will recommend approval, the Secretary of State can decide otherwise. It is therefore vital we muster as much support for the project at this time. It has taken more than 12 years to reach this point and before that the search for a suitable site began in 1967 when the first prototype was set up in Tunbridge Wells.

Sport England has said that the need for a Centre of Excellence for winter sports did not need justifying as this had been recognised for some time. So we would hope that the Minister will consult Sport England before making a decision, but we cannot leave this to chance. We need to convince the Minister that winter sports is just as important to our competitors as football is to the rest of the population.

If you want a serious snow training facility in UK now is the time to stand up and be counted. Our sport must demand to be heard if this project fails it is unlikely that any other project will emerge for a generation.

So please support the SnOasis campaign, register your support on the website, write to the Ministers shown on the web site, snail mail had more impact that e-mail. We need your support now before the Secretary of State has a chance to consider her decision. We implore anyone with contacts within the Gordon Brown government to give us the chance to put the case. Please fill in the form on the "Have Your Say" page and let us make SnOasis a reality!

Below please find suggested wording for a letter to the Ministers whose addresses can be found on the website, please expand on our suggestions and personalise your letter.

Dear Minister,

SnOasis The references for the 3 planning applications are:- APP/W3520/V/06/1199516: APP/W3520/V/06/1199545: APP/W3520/V/06/1199546

Despite the recommendation of the Inspector at the recent inquiry into the SnOasis project, the Mid Suffolk District Council approval of the planning application, we believe, reflects the majority of residents' opinion that this project should be allowed to go ahead. The council has met all the concerns of objectors in the conditions attached to the planning approval. Indeed the independent report from the DTZ clearly demonstrates the viability of the project and the overwhelming effect and support that it will have on the business fraternity within Suffolk.

A project of this kind only comes once in a lifetime, it is not only advantageous to the economy of the region but of national importance to winter sports. Skiing has suffered from cuts in finance and government support over the period of this labour government and with the support shown for the summer London Olympics this is a chance for the winter sports to be brought in from the cold. We urge you to look at the SnOasis website to see the overwhelming support that the SnOasis project has accumulated from the commercial sector as well as the sport.

We also implore you to take heed of the advice from Sport England and the BOA who acknowledge the need for a centre of excellence in winter sports and the lack of outdoor sporting facilities within south east England in general.

Yours etc.