Permission has been given for Lapland UK to run its Christmas events in the grounds of a country house in Cheshire.
Officials at Cheshire East Council granted organisers a 10-year approval for the annual festive experience at Capesthorne Hall near Macclesfield.
Bosses at Lapland UK – which already has a highly popular event in Berkshire – claim it will create 1,200 seasonal jobs and boost the local economy.
Alison Battle, the firm’s co-founder said that since 2007 her business has delivered a “magical family experience” to more than a million visitors at its Ascot venue.
She said: “Lapland UK can be a transformative addition to Cheshire East, creating an annual world class family experience that will generate significant economic benefits for the local area, including the creation of 1,200 seasonal jobs during the quieter winter months for local people, as well as partnerships with local businesses and suppliers.”
Mrs Battle added: “It brings cultural and economic benefits, while respecting the heritage and environmental sensitivity of Capesthorne Hall.”
Concerns were raised about the traffic impact on the A34, but a council highways officer said he had no objections as he felt the traffic would not queue back on to the road because the hall’s drive was long and visitor arrivals would be staggered.
Councillors were also told a shuttle service would be available from Macclesfield train station for both staff and visitors.
Cllr Lesley Smetham said: “It sounds like a good thing to have locally.”
She added: “The parish council are not objecting at all, and I think that’s always a benefit to know that the local people on the spot have got confidence in what’s proposed.”
‘A huge asset’
Cllr Hannah Moss said she had been to the Ascot event as a visitor.
“I personally feel it would be a huge asset to Cheshire East and will bring footfall from far and wide,” she said.
“It brings people from all over the country, which I think will benefit shops, the B&Bs, the hospitality venues, hotels, etc, in all of our towns and villages.”
However, Cllr Stewart Gardiner said he could not support the application.
“This is a site in the green belt where there is a presumption against the building of structures, temporary or otherwise, that are not for the essential needs of agriculture and outdoor recreation,” he said.
He added that whatever the economic benefits would be to the borough, he wasn’t convinced they outweighed the harm to green belt and the setting of the grade two listed building.
Committee chair Brian Puddicombe said: “From a point of view of the employment and economic advantages, I think we should welcome them and I would suggest that, in my opinion, the very special circumstances do exist that outweigh the harm to the green belt and heritage assets.”
The events, beginning from winter 2025/26, will be held annually for 50 days from the start of November until Christmas Eve.
Eight councillors voted in favour of the application, two voted against and one abstained.
