Stoke-on-Trent's Winter Wonderland event has finally been granted planning permission – two days before it closes.

The Christmas attraction has been running on Hanley's Birch Terrace car park since November 22, but a planning application for the event was only determined by Stoke-on-Trent City Council on Friday.

Winter Wonderland, which features an ice skating rink and fun fair rides as well as food and drink outlets, will close, as scheduled, on Sunday, January 5. Funderworld Events, which organises Winter Wonderland every year, has previously blamed council 'red tape' for the delay, insisting that the application was submitted on October 7.

But the city council says that information was missing, which meant that the application could not be validated until December 4 – with the statutory consultation period then running until December 28.

Planning officers approved the application, subject to conditions, under delegated powers. No objections were received by the council.

Environmental health officers requested further information and a noise impact assessment, but the planning officers did not believe this was necessary, given the location and the event's temporary nature.

The officer's report notes that Staffordshire Police had raised concerns that it was only consulted after the event had actually started. The report states:

"Upon consultation with the police, although no objection has been raised, the police have raised concerns about the limited detail included in the application and the timeframe for submission of the application. The local planning authority must deal with and determine all planning applications as submitted and has no control over the timeframe of submission of planning applications. Relevant consultation periods must also be adhered to."

The report concludes that the proposal will have an 'acceptable impact' in terms of amenity, highways and design.

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