PLANS for a 70-metre ski slope in a remote area of County Durham have been given short shrift by planning officials - but a grass airstrip for light aircraft and parking have their blessing.
Dentist and businessman Les Smith bought the ski slope from a Willington leisure park for his trout fishery at Knitsley Mill, near Consett.
But planning officers have recommended that Derwentside district councillors refuse permission when the authority's development control committee meets on Thursday.
They are also urging members of the committtee to turn down an outline application for 12 two-bedroom log cabins, a building for accommodation and construction of a fishing lake and aircraft hangar.
According to a report to committee, the site is in part at risk of flooding and the proposals would be "alien features" in an attractive area of countryside.
Planning officers are recommending conditional approval for a grass airstrip.
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