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Concerns have been raised over plans for a major ski slope in Merthyr Tydfil, due to its location and potential impact on the landscape.

The Rhydycar West development includes plans for an indoor snow centre, tropical waterpark, and activity centre, as well as an outdoor activity area.

The plans also include up to 418 hotel rooms, 30 units of woodland lodge accommodation, and 830 car parking spaces.

Marvel Ltd has submitted the planning application, which covers land to the south west of the A470/A4102 roundabout.

However, it has been recommended for refusal by Merthyr Tydfil Council’s planning officers.

The site has historically been used for industrial activities, with the remains of mine workings, spoil tips, canal and railway features still present on site, the planning report said.

There are some Scheduled Ancient Monuments and a Grade II listed building – and the site forms part of the Merthyr Tydfil Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest.

The site also includes the Cwmglo and Glyndyrus site of special scientific interest (SSSI), the Rhydycar West Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC), ancient woodlands, and some woodland which is covered by a tree preservation order..

A network of public rights of way also crosses through the site and extends into the surrounding area.

Blaencanaid Farm has been proposed as an area to mitigate for any ecological loss that cannot be provided within the site. The applicant has submitted what’s called a sequential site search to justify the choice of Rhydycar West as the location for the proposal.

There were 141 public letters of support and 23 objections submitted to the local authority related to the application.

Those supporting the development highlighted the potential economic benefits to the area, including more jobs, tourism, and investment, as well as boosting health and wellbeing.

However, those opposed highlighted the possible negative impact on the landscape, road congestion, air and noise pollution, and the effect on public rights of way.

Other concerns included potential ground movement and damage to existing mineshafts in the area, as well as the impact on drainage and watercourses.

The planning report said that advice given within the pre-application response outlined significant concern with the proposed development due to its inappropriate location, sustainability, scale, visual impact, ecological impact and the conflicts with both national and local planning policies.

In recommending refusal, planning officers cited the loss of part of the Cwm Glo and Glyndyrus SSSI.

It also raised concerns over mitigation measures against the impact on the Rhydycar West SINC, as well as the scale of the project – which it argues would cause an “unacceptable adverse visual impact on the landscape setting of the county borough”.

In its conclusion, the report said “On balance, the potential economic and social benefits including employment creation, significant private investment, and enhanced leisure facilities would not outweigh the harm identified to the important ecological and landscape value of the site.”