Hoorah for progress! Cornwall's first artificial ski slope and snowboard park – the Cornwall Ski & Snowboard Centre – is to be built near Newquay, despite an initial rejection by planning officials. Following an appeal, the government has approved the development. This overturns Carrick District Council's refusal of planning permission after local people said the 12-acre (4.8 hectare) site would be out of place.

Two farmers want to build a ski slope, half pipe, jump section and a clubhouse on Trevarthian Farm at Kestle Mill at a cost of about £3m. Using a realistic, snow-like material called Snowflex, the slope will be carved into the side of a hill to provide nursery runs, deep bowls, halfpipes and ramps for all abilities of freerider.

Mark Bucknell, of the Cornwall Ski & Snowboard Centre, said the attraction could be ready by next year. "We have always wanted to diversify the farm in a positive fashion, and this is one way of doing it. It's something completely different, but it takes into account the  surfing at Newquay and brings it all together."
He estimates the facilities could be used by 60,000 people a year.

For more information, visit the Cornwall Ski & Snowboard Centre website: www.cornwallski.com