HANDS OFF OUR GROTTO!
Santa in planning row with ‘Grinch’ council
A CHRISTMAS grotto that’s been welcoming families for six years is under threat over a planning row with council chiefs.
The attraction in Frome, Somerset, has two festive cabins where children can meet Father Christmas, Mrs Claus and their elves. But since moving to a new site on the grounds of a manor house in April, the business has been mired in a planning row with council chiefs.
In July, officials refused it permission over the lack of public transport access to the site’s rural location.
Now the grotto, built with a £22,000 loan, is facing potential ‘enforcement’ action. Craig Gillett, 61, who plays Santa at the grotto alongside his 59-year-old sister Clare Perry as Mrs Claus, said: ‘It’s all about giving some fun and joy in people’s lives.
‘To have children’s innocent faces beaming at you, looking at this character that brings so much happiness... to have that taken away by one council officer that has not even seen the site is heartbreaking.’
The grotto is not the only venture operating on the 186-acre estate, which is also home to businesses including a café and a youth football team. Mr Gillett added: ‘The football team regularly have over 300 cars there supporting their events. The council state our grotto is not sustainable because there is no public transport to get to the site – but you wouldn’t go on a bus to a golf club.’
Another planning application was due to be decided upon last night. Mr Gillett said if rejected, this year’s grotto is ‘safe’ as they can appeal. ‘Our fate for next year lies in the hands of the council,’ he added.
Somerset Council said it will await the planning committee’s decision on the ‘unauthorised development’ before determining if ‘further action is required’.