THE WELSH Government has said that Merthyr Tydfil Council cannot approve a major £300m ski slope and resort development at Rhydycar West itself.
In March 2024 the council received a letter from Welsh Government advising that “Welsh ministers have been asked to call in the application…. for their own determination.
The council was therefore directed “not to grant planning permission” for this “or any development of the same kind… which is proposed on any site forming part of, or includes the land to which the application relates, without the prior authorisation of the Welsh ministers.”
“This direction prevents your authority only from granting planning permission; it does not prevent the authority from continuing to process or consult on the application. Neither does it prevent the authority from refusing planning permission.”
The plans would see the creation of an indoor snow centre, an indoor tropical waterpark, an indoor activity centre, an outdoor activity area, up to 418 hotel rooms, up to 30 units of woodland lodge accommodation and up to 830 car parking spaces. But planning officers have recommended the application be refused.
In a statement the council said: “On Wednesday, March 12, 2025 a report will be presented to the council’s planning, regulatory and licensing committee on the proposed Rhydycar West development in Merthyr Tydfil.
“The officer report outlines that the proposed development contains several components which, in other circumstances on a different site, would be well received due to significant private investment, the range of leisure facilities and associated employment potential.
“However, due to the scale of the landform, the development would be harmful to the character of the area for numerous reasons relating to the environmental and its visual impact.
“Overall, there would be significant harm to the Merthyr West Flank Strategic Landscape Area, its special qualities and landscape components, adversely affecting the distinctive wooded mosaic setting of Merthyr Tydfil.
“Therefore, the potential economic and social benefits including job creation, significant private investment, and enhanced leisure facilities would not offset the harm identified to the important ecological and landscape value of the site.
“This would not outweigh the fundamental conflict with the requirements of chapter six in Planning Policy Wales regarding the protection of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (Para 6.4.25 of PPW states that “Development in a SSSI which is not necessary for the management of the site must be avoided.) and is contrary to the section six duty in the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 to maintain and enhance biodiversity.
“With these points in mind, the planning officer’s recommendation within the report is that the application is refused on these grounds.
“In March 2024 the council received a letter from Welsh Government advising that ‘Welsh Ministers have been asked to call in the application…. for their own determination’.
“The council was therefore directed to ‘not to grant planning permission’ for this, ‘or any development of the same kind… which is proposed on any site forming part of, or includes the land to which the application relates, without the prior authorisation of the Welsh ministers.’
“‘This direction prevents your authority only from granting planning permission; it does not prevent the authority from continuing to process or consult on the application.
“‘Neither does it prevent the authority from refusing planning permission.’
“The planning committee must now consider whether they support the recommendation contained within the report.
“If they do not support the recommendation, the application will be referred to Welsh Government ministers for further consideration, as per their direction in 2024.”
