Above: An aerial view of the site
In 2020 planning permission was granted for ‘SnOasis’ on the site of a 284 acre former quarry in Great Blakenham. This would bring about the creation of a ski centre, holiday resort, centre of winter sports excellence alongside other leisure uses including a casino and a significant amount of new shops.
Since the granting of planning permission there have been a significant changes in leisure and holidaymaking which have led the team to take a fresh look at the opportunities presented by the site.
The covid-19 pandemic looks certain to increase the already in place upward trend in domestic leisure and holidaymaking that has been in place in recent years. A greater understanding of the environmental impact of mass overseas tourism is likely to further increase this trend.
With this in mind, the intention is to seek planning permission for a leisure-focused family friendly resort.
The Valley Ridge Resort, which is scheduled to open in 2024, will boast an extensive eco-friendly, family focused offering, including a holiday park with a range of self-catering accommodation including wooden lodges, sports and retail facilities; a snow dome housing a range of winter sports facilities including one of the largest indoor ski slopes in the UK; a state-of-the-art water park; a 450 bed four-star hotel with a spa and wellness centre and a variety of bars, restaurants and cafés.
Valley Ridge has assembled an experienced executive and non-executive team to deliver its vision. Robert B. Cook (CEO of TGI Fridays Group and former CEO of Virgin Active, De Vere Hotels and the Malmaison Group) and David Church (former Managing Director and Head of Real Estate and Lodging at Bank of America Merrill Lynch) have recently joined as Board Advisors. The two high-calibre appointments reflect the industry leadership aims of the developers of the Valley Ridge Resort.
On this website you will be able to find about more about the proposals and take part in live question and answer sessions with members of the project team. These sessions will be recorded and available to watch on this site until an application for planning permission is made in the summer.
Next tile: The new proposals
