People Power Saves British Ski Centre

It was just over a year ago when Brentwood Park Ski and Snowboard Centre received notification from Brentwood Council that an application for houses was being proposed for the entire site here at Warley Gap. Luxury houses were planned to replace Brentwood Ski & Snowboard Centre, Brentwood Karting Raceway, UK Golf Academy and IZUMI.

A planning application had been submitted to Brentwood Borough Council which, if successful, would have seen the ski centre closed and replaced with 13 detached houses, a mix of three and four bed properties..

Slope director Steven Cis, said: "We are all deeply upset and shocked that this proposal has been put forward by greedy land owners and developers.

"The human cost to all this would be unimaginable, not just for all the people that work on the site but also for the huge number of people that use all of the facilities at Brentwood Leisure Park all year round.

"We are a family oriented leisure centre where people come from all walks of life to learn, have fun, to engage in sports and healthy living and of course to meet other likeminded people.

"Losing these facilities for the sake of building a dozen houses would be in my opinion like committing a crime against all the community of the borough and the county as a whole."

More than 200 people are employed across the site, with all of them set to be jobless if the application was granted in favour of Asphaltic.

As all the businesses went into battle, schools, clubs, businesses, environmental agencies, councillors, the local and far reaching communities contacted asking how they could help. Wanting to be involved and not only show their support but offer their services in any way that they could.

Clubs and national governing bodies such as Snowsport England worked to help the centre remain open.

One year on and the application for houses has been withdrawn! All of the business on this site are viable and  Brentwood Park Ski and Snowboard Centre along with the other businesses we continue to work alongside the site owner to build a successful future.

The centre said: “We received help from members of Essex Ski Racing club who were willing to give up their time and campaign alongside us.

“National Ski Clubs contacted us to ask what they could do, with both individuals and clubs sharing our story.

“Ski Clubs, Ski Personalities, International Skiers, Ski Shops, Snowsport Governing Bodies, Snowsport Publications all understood the importance of what we provide, Skiing and Snowboarding at grassroot level, available to anybody regardless of their ability.

“Our local community rallied; those that have lived in Brentwood all their lives along with individuals and families that have moved away but still remember their experiences they shared here at Brentwood Park Ski & Snowboard Centre. People far and wide were shocked to learn that houses could take precedent over values that we all hold dear – enjoyment, learning, community, sport, being active, limitless opportunity. Individuals took the time to read through the proposal in full, talk to their friends and family and even write directly to the council not only opposing houses, but reminding them how invaluable we are and why! Our online petition had 2598 of you sign. On the council portal, 160 comments were logged objecting the proposal. Outstanding! Local councillors, The Brentwood Mayor and the local press all offered their support. It was heartening to be reminded that what we do matters to so many people, far and wide!

“We are extremely grateful for your continued support, both verbally and written and would like to say thank you to everybody that helped. Please share in our good news and look at some of the people that are thankful that you took the time to oppose houses so they can continue to be in our future.”

The Ski and Snowboard Centre, which is the county's only snow sports centre, has users who come from across the south east including Kent, Suffolk and Bedfordshire.

"We are a family centre that is open all year round and can be accessed and used by everybody," said Mr Cis.

"From able bodied to those less fortunate with varying learning difficulties and disabilities. We are the home of medal winners, from Special Olympic athletes to many young aspiring athletes and members of GB team.

"Losing these facilities would be unthinkable, a huge loss and the overall impact this would have on the network of people, clubs, schools, individuals and families."

Brentwood lives on…