A CHILDREN’S theatrical Christmas event could be staged annually if plans are given the green light. 

The company behind Lapland UK – which has been held on land at Whitmoor Forest, in Swinley Road, Ascot over the past three years – has now submitted a proposal to host the venue permanently. 

The brainchild of husband and wife Mike and Alison Battle, it was developed to recreate Father Christmas’ “mythical Arctic homeland” after the couple became disappointed with the increasing commercialism of the holiday.

Now in its ninth year, the interactive experience was held at the Ascot site in 2013, 2014 and 2015, having been granted a full temporary three-year provision by Bracknell Forest Council in September 2013. 

The planning application states: “It is felt that the Lapland UK model has now been proven. Therefore permission is now sought for the permanent seasonal use of the site.”

The application would see the event run for a slightly longer period between November 21 and Christmas Eve, with its setting up and dismantling remaining between October 1 and from December 27 to January 31. 

However, several neighbours have come forward to object to the plans.

Writing on behalf of the Kings Ride Residents’ Association, representing homes in Kings Ride, Prince Consort Drive, Prince Albert Drive and Englemere Park, Andrew Trapnell argued while the impact of the last three years has been less than residents had anticipated, they “remain concerned about the long-term impact on the site and also additional traffic congestion at the busy London Road/Swinley Road traffic lights”. 

He said: “We suggest that rather than a permanent extension, a further three-year temporary permission be granted with conditions.

“No other use of the site is to be allowed during the remaining nine months of the years.

“Continue booked entry slot management to mitigate traffic issues, restricted to current user Lapland UK but with a requirement for any successor to reapply for the permission.

“And no extension of the existing footprint of temporary buildings.” 

Other Locks Ride and Chavey Down residents have expressed concerns that if permanent permission were granted, it would open the floodgates for the site to be used throughout the year. 

However, other neighbours have praised Lapland UK as a “truly professionally run organisation that worries about its impact on the local highways, neighbours and the environment.”

It is not yet clear when a decision will be made.