Winter Wonderland festive event gets green light

Winter Wonderland’s “contentious” temporary planning application for Bedford Park next month has been approved by councillors.

Bedford Borough Council's planning committee looked at the conditions surrounding the parks temporary change of use for the festive event at a meeting on Tuesday. It also examined responses from both residents and the applicant.

There were 91 comments from 79 different households - 65 objected while 26 were in support.

Committee chairman Jonathan Abbott said a "key" condition of the application approval was a detailed assessment of the site before equipment and materials were put in place.

This condition was put in place to ensure the event had no long-term impact on the park or the quality of the playing field, the council said.

Mr Abbott described the application as “fairly contentious”.

He added: “I am really concerned about the harm to the park, but also, I see the benefits of what this will bring to Bedford.

“[The event] has a real impact on people who live nearby; it can also have a positive impact on Bedford town as well.

“It’s good to see they are siting the generators in different locations, dealing with noise mitigation.”

The majority of the committee voted to grant temporary planning permission for the event.

Bronson Thurston, a spokesperson for Winter Wonderland Bedford, said: “I am thrilled planning permission has been granted.

"We are now full steam ahead with the build of Winter Wonderland Bedford."

The event opens to the public on 30 November and is due to close on 5 January.

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