Facebook group calls for ski slope to re-open (From This Is Local London)

Facebook group calls for Wycombe Summit ski slope to re-open

9:45am Wednesday 10th February 2010 in News By Oliver Evans

MORE than 1,500 people have joined a Facebook group calling for a new ski facility at the former Wycombe Summit site, currently held up by council wrangling.

Bosses of the former ski slope – closed after fire – are gearing up for an independent appeal after Wycombe District Council chiefs rejected planned facilities including a bar and offices.

The group says: “Come on WDC get your act together and do something positive for our community!”

Founder Melanie Codling, 34, said: “The response has been amazing, it is growing by the day and I only started it a week ago.

“It is such a great opportunity. It is very frustrating and disappointing for people who would have utilised it.”

The snowboarder, from Hughenden, said the development would attract people into the town.

Fellow enthusiast Dan Wilson, 35, said: “The council need to be a bit more open minded. At the moment I have to go to Milton Keynes or Hemel Hempstead.”

The Abbey Barn Lane facility was closed after a 2005 fire and WDC said it would back a replacement in December 2007 pending a legal agreement.

Yet the plan to widen the building over the training ski slope and to introduce party rooms over a new skating rink was rejected four months.

Planning committee members said the would reduce a woodland and damage the character of the area.

Martin Smith, managing director of the SnowDome company, which is driving the development, welcomed the group.

He said: “We are encouraged and heartened to hear of the support and of the fantastic news in respect of the Facebook initiative.”

Yet he warned the development could be delayed even if permission is won because of the ‘general economy coupled with the associated reluctance of the banking sector’.

Council spokesman Catherine Spalton said: “While we welcome the exciting prospect of hosting a real snow ski centre in the Wycombe district, any proposal would have to be in accordance with the planning polices in force for this area.”

The appeal will be heard by the independent Planning Inspectorate on March 16 the council’s offices in Queen Victoria Road. The public are welcome to attend.

Click the links below to visit the Facebook group and read other stories about the plan.