PLANS for an indoor skydiving and ski centre in Cribbs Causeway have been given the green light by councillors today.

The proposed sports facility, which was submitted by The Mall owners developer Baylis Estates early last year, is set to be the first of its kind in the South West after South Gloucestershire Council’s development (west) committee voted in favour of the new attraction.

A new permanent indoor ice rink will also be housed in the complex, as well as a sports store, hotel, restaurant, coffee “drive thru” and a car showroom.

The developer had previously said that they had a great deal of backing at a public exhibition prior to submitting the plans, with more than 100 people writing letters of support.

This reflected in the decision by the councillors who voted unanimously in favour of the development going ahead.

But while the committee offered their support to the plans, which will be providing around 240 new jobs, both during construction and after doors open, concerns were raised regarding traffic and the proposed transport plan.

Cllr Eve Orpen said that while a plan had been put forward, it would be difficult to encourage people to use the bus when they have the convenience of their cars, adding that a showroom on site advocating the use of private motors wouldn’t help.

Cllr Keith Burchell also said that with planned developments going ahead for The Wave complex near Almondsbury as well as the proposed Mall expansion, the village could quite easily expect more traffic to fill their roads and said that the area should also be included in the travel plan.

The wait is now on for a decision by Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, who now has a 21-day window in which he may choose to bring the plans in for review.

David Mace, director of Bayliss Estates, said: "I am very pleased to have the support of South Gloucestershire Council in the endeavour. We just have to wait and see if it gets called in now.

“The investment proposed will have an enormously positive impact, not just in terms of an economic contribution to the region, but also job creation and establishing state of the art leisure facilities for this fast-evolving part of the South West.”

He added that subject to the decision by the Secretary of State, he hoped that construction could begin by summer, with doors opening by the end of next year.