BATTLE lines have today been drawn in the fight over whether the world's biggest indoor ski slope should be built at Great Blakenham.

BATTLE lines have today been drawn in the fight over whether the world's biggest indoor ski slope should be built at Great Blakenham.

Opponents of the £350million SnOasis complex are preparing for a stand-off at an all-important Public Inquiry by forming a new alliance which brings together all of the main players in the effort to have developers Onslow Suffolk sent packing.

Town and parish councils from the area have joined with opposition group sNOasis Concern and the Suffolk Preservation Society to form the SnOasis Community Alliance.

The groups say they are pooling their resources to ensure they mount the strongest legal challenge they can, expected to cost more than £100,000, against the enormous leisure complex, which is proposed for the former Mason's quarry site.

They are putting together a team boasting legal and planning experts who will front the campaign to have the plans thrown out when a public enquiry is held early next year.

Keith Willetts, sNOasis Concern chairman, said: “Being actively involved and fully represented at the inquiry is a major undertaking for local people.

“Joining forces with other like minded groups makes a lot of sense and will ensure a unified opposition to the applications, as they stand, at the inquiry.”

Onslow Suffolk's proposal to build the giant indoor ski slope, winter sports complex and associated hotel and chalet facilities at the disused quarry has raised the ire of some residents.

They say that the enormous structure would become a blight on the horizon and its construction would lead to a massive strain on the county's road network and would have damaging impacts on the environment.

But supporters, including a powerful grouping of key business organizations, say it is a once in a lifetime opportunity which would bring unprecedented benefits to the county's economy.

The public enquiry will begin on January 23 and is due to last five weeks. The inquiry will also analyse linked applications to build a 421-home development adjacent to the ski complex and a new railway station in Great Blakenham.

WEBLINKS: www.snoasis.co.uk; www.snoasisconcern.com