Long-standing plans for a new multi outdoor activity centre including a dry ski slope for Preston in Northwest England have been given the backing of Preston City Council planning officers ahead of a vote by councillors.

The plans, christened Pheonix Park, are for a large new water sports park on a 10.6 hectare site transforming Preston Docks include the dry ski slope, a three hectare lake for water sports including water skiing, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding, swimming and fishing, a mountain bike track and lodges for young people in care.

The plans are the second set submitted by the local Motorsport company which have operated in the region for many years. They have already been granted approval for the main building at the new development.

The dry ski slope will be 95 metres long descending from a hill 12 metres high and will have a gradient of 11 degrees. Currently there are no plans for it to be open to the public, instead it will be used by those in care staying at the site as well as being available for pre-bookings by schools and local sports groups.