THE developer behind the £300 million winter sports complex SnOasis is insisting he was creating an “elegant” landmark building.His remarks came as Government inspector John Gray held a site visit to assess its impact.

THE developer behind the £300 million winter sports complex SnOasis is insisting he was creating an “elegant” landmark building.

His remarks came as Government inspector John Gray held a site visit to assess its impact.

The scheme at Great Blakenham would be East Anglia's biggest development since the Port of Felixstowe.

The plans include a giant ski slope, ice rink, casino, nightclub, hotel, restaurants, railway station and hundreds of new homes.

Despite gaining Mid Suffolk District Council's backing, the government decided to call in the plans for a public inquiry.

The hearing resumed yesterday with a site visit as the inspector went to assess what the visual impact of the development would be.

Mr Gray also toured the site at the former Mason's Quarry and was given an idea of how high the ski slope would be when a balloon was floated at the correct height.

Godfrey Spanner, the developer behind the SnOasis complex, said: “The height is the height and has been the height for the last four-and-a-half years, we need the height to make it world class.

“We have created a landmark building, it is elegant. I cannot see how it would offend people. I am as confident as ever.”

But John Williams, chairman of the SnOasis Community Alliance, said: “SnOasis would be horrendous, the view from Shrublands Hall at the moment is rolling countryside.

“This will block that with a big slab will leave people with a view from their front window or front garden. It was a very small balloon, the slope itself will be 200 feet wide at the top.”

The public inquiry is due to resume at the Corn Exchange in Ipswich from 9.30am next Wednesday for its final three days.

Mr Gray will then recommend to the Government whether the scheme gets the go-ahead.