THE new �50million ski slope development will bring almost 1,000 jobs to the area according to its developers.

The Leisuredome UK project, situated on the former RAF Locking airfield, was given planning permission by North Somerset Council in September.

The 12-acre site will be the home of a 210m ski slope, a 40m climbing wall, a BMX skateboard park, a children’s centre and a gym. The ski slope will be the largest in Britain and the climbing wall the biggest indoor structure of its kind.

And latest figures supplied to the council reveal the new complex will not only generate more tourism for the area but also provide hundreds of job opportunities.

Developers suggest 583 jobs will be created on-site while a further 380 jobs will be set-up indirectly as a result.

If the final figure is more than 15 per cent out then the council have the right to alter some of the plans.

Due to the size of the project it was referred to the secretary of state who had no objections.

The sports complex is situated near to the Locking Parklands housing development, led by St Modwen, where 100 homes and 6,000sq ft of offices built by the end of next year and it is hoped will provide employment opportunities for the new occupants.

The council report described the development as ‘unique’ and ‘a significant opportunity to promote the area for inward investment’.

The Leisuredome will attract an estimated 550,000 visitors in its first year and bring in �369million to the local economy each year.

No definitive start date has been announced but work is expected to be completed by winter 2012.