Plans to launch an annual Lapland Christmas experience in Cheshire could get approval this week. A planning application has been lodged for a temporary 10-year permit for a major festive event at the historic Capesthorne Hall, which could generate 1,200 jobs - and these plans are now being endorsed.
The event, set to be based in Macclesfield but reportedly named LaplandManchester, is scheduled to start from winter 2025/26 and would run annually for 50 days from early November until Christmas Eve each year up to 2035/36. It will be an extension of the highly successful Lapland º£½ÇÊÓƵ site in Ascot, Berkshire, which opened its doors in 2007.
A report from Cheshire East Council's planning officers to this week's strategic planning board meeting estimates that around 1,200 temporary jobs will be created each year over the winter months for the attraction. If approved, construction would commence in the last week of September each year and the dismantling of the event would begin immediately after it ends, with the site cleared by the first week of February.
The report notes: "It is advised that all of the immersive event experiences would be within structures, and the event is family orientated with no significant amplified music that would be audible from outside of the event site.
"There will be no fun fair rides, live music performances or light displays."
The proposed development includes parking for 927 vehicles, with 314 spaces allocated for staff, and a shuttle service from Macclesfield Station for both employees and visitors, reports .
Despite the planning officers deeming the proposal inappropriate for the green belt, they believe the economic benefits outweigh this concern.
The report states: "The proposed development, due to a combination of the extent and size of the temporary structures, the length of time they would be on site, along with the significant increase in the degree of activity that would be created, would not preserve the openness of the green belt and would result in a degree of encroachment within the green belt."
It also mentions that the scheme could cause less than substantial harm to the setting of the grade II listed Capesthorne Hal.
The report highlights the significant economic and social benefits of the scheme, stating: "These are primarily the substantial inward investment, job creation, boost to local economy from the influx of tourists to the area, many of which may utilise existing overnight accommodation in the borough, along with the cultural benefits.
"These combined, subject to conditions to limit the impact of the development on the heritage asset, are on balance, deemed sufficient to clearly outweigh the harm identified and also represent public benefits sufficient to outweigh the heritage harm."
The application has been backed by Siddington Parish Council due to its potential positive effect on the local and broader district economy, though it faces opposition from one individual concerned about the impact on the green belt and local roads.
The strategic planning board is set to deliberate on the matter at Macclesfield Town Hall at 10am on Wednesday, January 29.
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