CONCRETE plans for a £300m skiing and leisure complex in Suffolk will soon take shape following the appointment of expert architects and planners.The ambitious Snoasis Project, which would be built on the site of a former quarry at Great Blakenham, would include a huge snow dome, a cinema and bowling complex, 18 hole golf course, watersports park, ice rink and dry run bob sleigh ride, along with hundreds of ski lodges and apartments.

CONCRETE plans for a £300m skiing and leisure complex in Suffolk will soon take shape following the appointment of expert architects and planners.

The ambitious Snoasis Project, which would be built on the site of a former quarry at Great Blakenham, would include a huge snow dome, a cinema and bowling complex, 18 hole golf course, watersports park, ice rink and dry run bob sleigh ride, along with hundreds of ski lodges and apartments.

The amenity could create up to 1,000 new jobs, bringing the biggest boost to the region's economy since the Port of Felixstowe.

A concept plan for the Snoasis was released in March by the developer's agent, EWS.

The developer Onslow Suffolk Ltd has now appointed concept architects and masterplanners to begin working on the project, which is expected to attract 250,000 visitors a month.

DLA Architecture, based in Yorkshire, which will draw up the plans for the 350-acre site, was also responsible for giant architectural feats such as the Manchester Evening News Arena, Leeds and Colchester United Football Clubs, the Stade de Geneve in Switzerland and the Headingley Cricket Redevelopment, among others.

Bob Taylor, DLA director, described the Onslow Group plans for Snoasis, which could be used as a training ground for the British winter sports team, as "groundbreaking".

He said: "This is a huge contract for us and we are thrilled and honoured to be involved in this ambitious project.

"This has to be one of the best architectural projects in the UK."

One of the biggest challenges facing DLA will be generating sufficient power on site to cope with demand and also looking at the use of renewable energy.

The heat generated to make snow and ice could be harnessed to fuel adjoining businesses.

Mr Taylor added: "We will be working with the Onslow Group and Persimmon Homes to prepare an outline planning application. Following the present public consultation period, we hope that Mid Suffolk Council will adopt Supplementary Planning."