Rhydycar West

20/02/2026

Massive congratulations to GB Snowsport and Team GB Olympic gold medalists, including Charlotte Bankes, Huw Nightingale, Matt Weston and Tabitha Stoecker on their incredible achievements on the world stage.

Your success is inspiring a new generation of athletes across the UK and here in Wales.

We also want to recognise the fantastic work of Snowsport Cymru Wales, who continue to grow participation and develop talent across the nation.

OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS!!!🏆

Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale make history, claiming Team GB’s first-ever Mixed Team Snowboard Cross medal at an Olympic Games! 🤩🇬🇧

07/01/2026

This evening, outline planning permission has been granted for Rhydycar West, following approval by the planning committee at Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and the green light from the Welsh Government in November 2025.

This marks a major milestone in delivering a world-class sport and leisure destination - set to become a flagship for Wales on both a national and international stage.

Ali Tyebkhan, CEO of Rhydycar West, said:

“This is an amazing moment. It marks the culmination of many years of hard work as well as patience. Thank you to all our team, partners, supporters and the local community – we could not have done this without your ongoing support over the years. We are very excited and looking forward to the next stages of work and delivery of the development.”

18/12/2025

✨ Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda from the Rhydycar West Team! ✨

As we reach the end of 2025, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported the Rhydycar West project this year. Your encouragement, engagement and belief have helped make 2025 a truly significant milestone in our journey.

From community members and partners to our industry experts and supporters near and far - thank you for being part of the vision.

We’re excited for what 2026 will bring as we continue working towards delivering a world-class, sport and leisure resort for Wales.

Wishing you all a joyful Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year.
Here’s to an exciting 2026! 🎄❄️🌟

28/11/2025

There’s been a fantastic buzz around our project this week across the media and on social channels, supported by an incredible number of encouraging and positive comments.

This momentum was topped off with a mention from Merthyr Tydfil Council Leader, Brent Carter – a great acknowledgment of the situation, potential and excitement building around Rhydycar West.

21/11/2025

Great news for Rhydycar West!

We’re thrilled to share that following Merthyr Tydfil Council’s decision to back the planning application in March, Welsh Government have confirmed today that they will not be calling in the planning application and have given a green light for the project to go ahead.

This means the Local Planning Authority can now move forward and grant outline planning permission - bringing our vision another big step closer to reality.

A huge thank you to our amazing team, partners, and consultants for years of hard work to reach this milestone. And a special thank you to the community of Merthyr Tydfil and the wider region for your ongoing support and belief in the project – it has been invaluable.

We’ll continue to keep you updated as we move forward. Exciting times ahead!

12/03/2025

Today, the Planning Regulatory and Licensing Committee voted against the reports recommendation to refuse the application and voted in support of the development. The application will now be referred to Welsh Government Ministers for further consideration.

"We are delighted that the Councillors voted to reject the recommendation to refuse and are minded to approve the application. This is another step forward for our development. The economic and social benefits will be huge, with 1500+ construction jobs, 800+ long term full time roles and approximately £300 million in direct investment generating around £38 million annually for the local economy.

Our plans have always been about creating a world-class sport and leisure resort and hub that compliments existing attractions like Bike Park Wales, Zip World and Cyfarthfa Park which will raise the profile of Merthyr and the Northern Valleys. As the UK's National Centre of Excellence for SnowSport, Rhydycar West will be the home and training HQ of the Welsh and GB National Paralympic and Olympic teams, while boosting local businesses, the town centre and cultural attractions.

Above all, we are deeply grateful for the overwhelming support we have received, thousands of messages, letters, a public petition in support with over 2800 signatures in just under a week. Thank you to the people of Merthyr, local businesses, neighbouring councils and Merthyr's MS and MP for believing in this project.

We are very excited about progressing everything in the coming days and weeks". Ali Tyebkhan CEO, Rhydycar West

11/03/2025

We’d like to address the recent Wales Online headline: "Welsh Government set to take over decision on £300m ski slope plan”.

The Welsh Government has the right to review and potentially call in the application, and we understand they will consider whether to do so. If that happens, we remain focussed on working constructively with Welsh Government throughout the process.

In the meantime, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council will still be reviewing the application and have the right to approve our planning application (subject to Welsh Government call in) at the planning committee meeting on 12 March.

10/03/2025

We are extremely grateful of your support for Rhydycar West.

If you would like to share your thoughts with those making the planning decision on the 12th March their email address is:

[email protected]

Cc: [email protected]

Use the following reference in the subject:
P/23/0065

09/03/2025

Huge thank you to Matthew for starting a petition in support of Rhydycar West.
We are also extremely grateful to the 1500 people who have signed it in just 2 days.

If you'd like to add your YES to Rhydycar West, follow this link before the planning meeting on the 12th of March.

Petition to MTCBC Planning Department: WE support Rhydycar West

09/03/2025

Thank you Snowsport Cymru Wales for your continual support.

Rhydycar West Planning Report Response Snowsport Wales

Followers of the development of the major indoor snow facility in South Wales West may have seen the recent publicity and statements concerning the planning report submitted for consideration by Merthyr County Borough Council planning committee 12th March 2025.

Obviously, we are massively disappointed that the planning department has recommended the application is refused, however we remain very optimistic that the council members will still vote in favour of the project planning application. Given the responses we have seen online from people local to Merthyr and across the UK, it would appear that we are not alone by any means in this view.

This facility would be game changing for the people of Merthyr, Wales and Great Britain. The benefits this development will bring are in terms of local employment opportunities, increasing participation in sport as a whole, improving aspirational opportunities for people from across Wales to perform at the highest levels of sport and, of course, a huge benefit to the local economy.

Inference included in the planning report that facility would have limited availability due to the use by professional ski teams could not be further from the truth. The use by teams training would represent less than 5% of annual turnover of the ski slope and thus recreational use being at least 95%. We do not underestimate the value of the 5% use by national teams at all, this will be the cherry on the cake! The very fact that international teams will be drawn (and return) to South Wales to train would be a testament to the facility itself and something we will SHOUT about for a long time.

It is also worth noting that this development has been a very long time in planning, and that’s not the 2 years it has taken the planning department in Merthyr to prepare their report for committee! 10 years ago Snowsport Cymru Wales were introduced by Merthyr Council officers to the site and the current developers (Marvel). Alongside the Merthyr Officers we identified this site as being the best available in Wales to build this facility. It’s very bad timing to now be advised by their own planning department that the facility should not be sited in the very place that we were directed to 10 years ago!

It terms of visual impact, the facility developers have commissioned a significant body of work to ensure the impact of the ski slope and associated buildings blends in as much as is physically possible. A contrary view would be to consider how exciting this project and development will look to those coming to the area, demonstrating what Merthyr has to offer and can achieve.

Snowsport Cymru Wales remains in full support of this project and hope the planning committee are guided to also get behind the project next week.

07/03/2025

The support from Merthyr Tydfil and beyond has been absolutely incredible. This latest article captures even more recognition of the benefits and transformational opportunity, featuring interviews with local businesses in the town centre.

Diolch yn fawr!

Council planning officers have recommended that the planning committee refuses the Rhydycar West application - leaving some locals stunned