Planned Artificial Ski Slope in Wales Set to be Rejected

8th March 2025

Last modified on March 10th, 2025

Developers want to construct a slope at Merthyr Tydfil which would be the longest ski slope in the UK at 500m. It looks like a planning application will be rejected. UPDATED

The development, called Rhydycar West, would include a snow centre, a tropical waterpark and an activity centre, all indoors, while there would be an activity area outdoors.

There would also be as many as 418 hotel rooms, up to 30 lodges and potentially 830 parking spaces.

The plans have been endorsed by GB Snowsport and Snowsport Cymru Wales.

However councilors are being recommended to reject the planning application from Marvel Ltd.

Opponents said the application was contrary to planning policy.

They claim it would badly affect the landscape and historic designations and could damage the canal and affect public rights of way.

There were also worries about congestion, pollution, noise, litter, anti-social behaviour and destruction of natural habitat.

The Welsh government’s Design Commission for Wales has issued a report saying it was “unable to support the proposal”, setting out “significant and fundamental concerns”.

The council report said: “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.”

The application is due to go before the council’s planning committee on March 12th.

Updated:

There has been some reaction from readers over on the PlanetSKI Facebook page:

Stuart Marlow – Absolute fools! This would bring so many benefits to the area, crazy to refuse permission.

Chrissie Drake – Ooooo nooooo this is so needed

Tim Lowe – Typical Wales….computer says NO

Ian Colton – Probably didn’t get enough of a ” backhander” to say yes to the project…

So short sighted of a typical council who have an fantastic Welsh ski team making great inroads with the ever decreasing funding available to them…

Carl Taylor – it’s Merthyr Tydfil FFS. It has had piles of coal etc for decades and they claim this is a blot.

Nick Davies – Classic… economic and social benefit, but councillors can’t see it and claim a blight on the landscape !!

Johnny Hanvey – So it’s not just Northern Ireland councillors that say no to something that would benefit the community. I’m sure if the planning application was for housing it would have been approved a long time ago.