Autumn decision expected on £300m ski slope and leisure resort plans

Anthony Lewis, local democracy reporter

A decision on plans for a £300m ski slope and leisure resort is expected to be made in the autumn.

In an update on the plans for the Rhydycar West scheme, the group behind the project said it is currently under review by Merthyr Tydfil Council, adding that over recent months they have been awaiting critical feedback from the council planning department.

They said that certain feedback has now been received, allowing them to move everything forward with greater clarity and urgency.

They have already requested further meetings with the council and in particular the planning department to expedite the decision-making process.

Indoor snow centre

Owned by Marvel Limited, Rhydycar West is a near 550-acre site with the aim being to create the largest indoor sports and leisure facilities in the area.

The plan is for it to be one of the première tourist destinations in the UK with an indoor snow centre, indoor and outdoor adventure centre, indoor tropical waterpark, luxury spa and family resort hotel wings, sport and value hotel wing and woodland lodges.

The resort will include a conference centre, hotel rooms and the largest and longest indoor snow centre in the UK, one of the longest in the world at around 400m.

It is predicted to result in around 1,500 direct employment opportunities over the construction period with around 1,200 of these expected to come from the local area.

Once operational, it is expected to bring in 842 jobs of which 663 are expected to come from the local area.

Those behind it say the construction of Rhydycar West would contribute around £317.6m in additional gross value added (GVA) to the economy over the construction period.

They said that GVA is the value of the amount of goods and services that have been produced, less the cost of all inputs and raw materials and represents the additional value that is added through economic activity on-site and through the supply chain.

The Rhydycar West project is expected to contribute around £38.1m in GVA to the economy per year.

Patience 

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).”

The spokesman continued: “Overall, we now trust that MTCBC Planning will produce a professional and balanced report that overcomes any planning challenges and recognises the overwhelming overall economic and social benefits for Merthyr Tydfil, the surrounding south Wales region and Wales as a whole.”

“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.”

Major development

Gerald Jones MP and Dawn Bowden MS’s statement said: “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.

“We believe that the current Rhydycar West proposal could provide a significant opportunity with the development of a snow dome, visitor accommodation and associated leisure facilities. We are also aware that expressions of support have been shown across the region for this proposed development.

“There is already major investment taking place by the Welsh Government in the emerging Metro network alongside the dualling of the A465 ‘Heads of the Valleys’ road improvements. One of the underlying reasons for these significant transport projects is to help make our communities more attractive for investment.

“The current planning application will be assessed according to established procedures and relevant planning policies and we both respect that process.

“As the local Member of the Senedd and the Member of Parliament we want to make clear our general support for major developments like Rhydycar West with the significant economic boost that they can bring to the area.”