Town jumps to embrace big changes in pipeline

FOR decades, Merthyr Tydfil has suffered the decline of mining and mourned its glorious past.

- ROBERT DALLING

But now a new age of industry might just be dawning as the people of the town give a big thumbs-up to plans for the UK's longest ski slope and tropical waterpark set to be built.

The planned Rhydycar West resort is anchored around key elements, including the UK's largest and longest indoor snow centre, which will be the official home and training headquarters for the UK (GB) and Welsh national, Olympic and Paralympic snow sports teams.

It resort also includes plans for an indoor tropical waterpark, indoor and outdoor adventure centre, resort hotels including woodland lodges and a conference and events centre.

The plans have taken a huge step towards becoming a reality as the council announced that it had received a letter from the Welsh Government to confirm that the planning application will not be called in, but instead be passed back to Merthyr Tydfil council to determine.

As the council has already given its approval, it's understood this is a huge boost to the plans which are now highly likely to be realised.