The �320 (US $600m) million project at the old Blue Circle cement works would include the largest indoor ski slope in the world. Other facilities would include an outside toboggan run, an ice skating rink which would include the UK's only speed skating track, a conference centre, a hotel and a cinema. A new �5m rail station would be built to serve the facility. If it gets the go ahead, it is expected to create more than a thousand jobs.

The centre would also be a base for training for international competition and would hope to follow Snow World in the Netherlands in hosting FIS recognised international snow sports competitions.

The Council's planning team estimated it would take them about a week to work through the 120,000 pages of documentation supporting the application, the culmination of four years work by the company behind the project, Onslow Suffolk Ltd.

David Ellis, head of planning at Mid Suffolk District Council, said the public would also be given the opportunity to have their say on the Snoasis scheme.

"This is just like any other application - people will have a 21-day period to get their responses in."

Because of the regional significance of the project, it will also go to the East of England Regional Assembly. And as it falls outside the current local development plan it may be called in for examination by the Secretary of State for a final Government ruling before the final go ahead can be given.