PLANS for a snow centre have been given a boost after a council agreed to buy the required land and to sell to developers for the same price.

On Thursday, Middlesbrough Council’s executive sub-committee for property agreed to buy land needed for proposals to develop the town’s much anticipated snow centre.

The deal will see the council able to buy the land from Homes England, formerly Homes and Communities Agency, (HCA) at a previously agreed price which would be up for renegotiation in April.

The council also agreed to sell the land onto the snow centre’s developers, Cool Runnings NE, at no extra cost.

But asked if the plan would result in any loss to the council, deputy mayor and executive member for city strategy, Cllr Charlie Rooney, said “none whatsoever”.

Speaking at the town hall meeting, Cllr Rooney explained the plan.

“Very basically, there was an agreement with the HCA to sell the land to Cool Runnings,” he said. They were wanting to renegotiate that, but we have first option on that land. The decision we’re asking for, is that we buy that land and sell it on to Cool Runnings, or its subsidiary Sub Zero, for exactly the same price we paid for it.”

Cllr Rooney said any ongoing costs, such as inflation or interest on monies borrowed, would be covered by the plan.

He added: “There’s a deadline coming up in April for the deal to be done with Cool Runnings. If that isn’t met the HCA will want to renegotiate and the price could well go up. In order to secure the land for that development, or any future development, we need to act now.”

He confirmed there would be no loss to the council.

Cllr Rooney referred to a report recommending that the council purchase the land. It said: “This report outlines the strategic case for Middlesbrough Council to acquire the freehold land interest in the final, remaining Homes England land parcel, at Middlehaven.

He added: “There are some caveats in the agreement that if development isn’t done within 10 months, or isn’t started, and development doesn’t go ahead, we still can claw that land back."

"By owning the land, we have influence on future development on it."

The committee voted unanimously to agree to the land purchase.