A CAMPAIGN has been launched to save a family-run dry ski slope which is used by thousands of people throughout the county from closure.

A planning application has been submitted to Brentwood Borough Council to build 13 detached houses on Brentwood Leisure Park.

The park, where Brentwood Park Golf Range, Brentwood Karting and the Brentwood Park Ski and Snowboard Centre are all based, would be demolished.

Steven Cis, from Noak Bridge, who runs the ski centre, set up a petition which has attracted 1,700 signatures in less than a week.

Mr Cis, whose father built the ski slope in 1974, said: “Brentwood Dry Ski Slope is the only one in the county.

“We get people coming from south of the river and beyond, as well as some from the Suffolk border.

“The slope has been here since 1974 and it has been a very successful enterprise ever since.

“We have 150 schools that come here - not just before going on trips but as part of their daily curriculum.

“We also special needs groups and youth groups that come here.

“There are also two members of the two Great British team who used to train here and two people who are in the England team.”

The planning documents claim that the businesses at the centre are unviable. Mr Cis claims this is incorrect.

Mr Cis, who runs the centre with his sister Sophie, said: “We have about 35,000 people visit per year.

“I would say the whole park probably gets about 150,000 people her per year.

“There are about 40 people employed here - where would they go?

“You could pass by the slope and not even know it is here. It is not an eye sore.”

The petition has won support from people across south Essex.

Elizabeth Harris, from Billericay, wrote: “It would be a travesty to loose this vital sport amenity in our community. We simply cannot allow this to happen.”

Jeni Bayliss, from Wickford, added: “This valuable resource has taught so many local people to ski and thus take much needed exercise and so keep fit.

“As a school teacher I have taken hundreds of pupils over the years introducing them to another skill. There is no local replacement.”

Another woman told how her son’s race team will be able to compete if the centre closes down as there is nowhere else locally for them to go.

For more information to sign the petition, visit change.org/p/brentwood-council-save-our-slope-brentwood-leisure-park