Plans For Huge Snowdome In Wales On Hold

The future of the ambitious £300 million Rhydycar West ski slope and resort development in Merthyr Tydfil now rests with the Welsh Government, following a decision to "call in" the planning application.

The proposed development, which includes an indoor snow centre, water park, and extensive leisure facilities, has sparked significant debate, with concerns raised over its environmental impact.

Here's a breakdown of the situation:

Council Planning Concerns:

• Merthyr Tydfil Council planning officers have recommended the application be refused, citing concerns about the project's scale and its potential harm to the local landscape and ecology, particularly the Merthyr West Flank Strategic Landscape Area and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
• While acknowledging the potential economic benefits, the council's report concluded that these would not outweigh the identified environmental damage.

Welsh Government Intervention:

• The Welsh Government has issued a "holding notice," indicating its intention to take over the decision-making process.
• This move follows a request for Welsh ministers to "call in" the application for their own determination.
• This action means that the Merthyr Tydfil council are unable to grant planning permission without the authorisation of the Welsh ministers.

Key Issues:

• Environmental impact, including potential damage to SSSIs and the surrounding landscape.
• Economic benefits, such as job creation and tourism.
• Concerns from the Design Commission for Wales who have also raised concerns.

What's Next:

• The Welsh Government will now conduct its own assessment of the planning application.
• A final decision will be made by Welsh ministers, taking into account all relevant factors.

The developers have issued a statement saying:

"Since the submission of our planning application in March 2023, we have worked closely and constructively with the local planning authority at Merthyr Tydfil Council, Welsh Government and all statutory consultees including Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Cadw along with neighbouring Councils. These organisations have carefully considered and reviewed every aspect of our plans.

We are naturally delighted that all statutory and Welsh Government consultees do not object to our planning application. This reflects the high quality of our submission and the thoroughness of our approach. We have worked collaboratively with stakeholders and carefully listened to their feedback. The quality of our planning application is both a reflection and testament to the support we have received from so many to bring the development proposals to life.

However, despite this, Merthyr Tydfil Council’s Planning Department, have been unable to accept the economic case and the benefits the scheme would bring to Merthyr and the surrounding area. They have chosen to recommend to Councillors that the application should be refused. Officers have recognised the life changing investment the scheme would bring but despite this they say :

“On balance the potential economic and social benefits including employment creation, significant private investment, and enhanced leisure facilities would not outweigh the harm identified to the important ecological and landscape value of the site. Therefore, the following recommendation is made to refuse”. (page 61-62 of the Report)

It is important for the public to know that NRW do not object to the planning application on ecology or landscape grounds. We have agreed and committed to comprehensive ecology mitigation & compensation measures for the land with NRW. Despite this the Merthyr Planning Team do not agree.

The Officer’s report flags the impact to Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs) . However, having worked closely with Cadw for many years and they have stated that the development will create net benefit in heritage terms. The thoughtful approach of the development proposals has helped to integrate and protect the SAMs and to tell their story. We have worked with Cadw to create a heritage trail so people can experience and understand the historic importance of the land; its role within the wider history of Merthyr Tydfil and the nationally important story of Wales in the industrial revolution and support and connect with the Cyfarthfa Plan.

There is overwhelming public and organisational support for the development from the community of Merthyr Tydfil and across the South Wales region. We have received many letters and messages of support including those from Dawn Bowden MS, Gerald Jones MP, Blaenau Gwent Council, Cardiff Council, Torfaen Council, Newport Council, Cardiff Capital Region, Cyfarthfa Foundation, Merthyr College, Tydfil Training, Bike Park Wales, Zip World, Snowsport Wales and GB Snowsport. This has also included Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council itself. It is disappointing the Officer’s report fails to inform the decision makers and the public at large, as to the strength of support for the scheme and the reasons for such support, which we believe are all material planning considerations.

From our surveys of over 4,600 people, 94.5% have said they support our proposals, 3.9% are not sure and 1.65% are against.

We have always maintained the economic and social benefits present a compelling case for granting planning permission:

• Rhydycar West would result in c.1500 direct employment opportunities over the construction period; with c.1200 of these expected to come from the local labour catchment area.
• The proposed development will support high levels of employment in the operational phase, generating c.842 gross direct jobs of which c.663 are expected to come from the local labour catchment area. This does not include the indirect job opportunities that will be created by the ripple effect of the development for Merthyr Tydfil and beyond.
• The construction of Rhydycar West would contribute c.£317.6m in additional Gross Value Added (GVA) to the economy over the duration of the construction period. GVA is the value of the amount of goods and services that have been produced, less the cost of all inputs and raw materials. It represents the additional value that is added through economic activity on site and through the supply chain.
• The Rhydycar West project will contribute c.£38.1m in GVA to the economy per annum. This compares favourably to the turnover related spend (GVA) generated by the Principality Stadium in Cardiff which stood at £19.5m in 2017-18.
• Bring circa £300 million capital investment to the local area.

The Officer’s report fails to address the planning case for development and we fear it is misleading. They simply refuse to accept there is a major economic case of job creation and inward investment in to Merthyr Tydfil and surrounding areas.

We trust that the elected Councillors on Merthyr Tydfil Council’s Planning Committee will recognise the case for approving the Rhydycar West planning application in their upcoming planning committee meeting on 12 March 2025.

Thank you again for your support. This has been invaluable to us and will continue to be so in the run up to the planning committee meeting next week."

The Rhydycar West development has generated both strong support and opposition within the local community. The Welsh Government's decision will have significant implications for the future of Merthyr Tydfil and the surrounding area.