Winter Wonderland is returning to Bedford Park this year, but Bedford Borough Council has said “no decisions” have been made for future years.
Harpur Ward councillors have also told the Borough Council to make sure last year’s planning “farce” is not repeated and the “proper planning procedure” is followed.
The event caused controversy last year when planning permission hadn’t even been granted before the event had started, and still wasn’t given by the time it had finished.
Read: Council answers questions over Winter Wonderland planning fiasco
There was further anger at how much damage had been caused by the event, parts of which are still not fully repaired.
Read: Council told “We’re watching you” by Bedford Park users unhappy with damage
Harpur Ward councillors Colleen Atkins and Zara Layne (both Labour) told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “As this process was a farce last year, we trust that this time the council will follow proper planning procedure and also ensure all comments submitted are given due consideration.
“Whilst we recognise the Winter Wonderland attraction is enjoyed by those attending, as Harpur ward councillors we are disappointed the council has ignored historical concerns of nearby residents.
“We have already written to the council to seek answers relating to other aspects and concerns about using Bedford Park again this year for Winter Wonderland.
“We have been assured there will be a more comprehensive noise management plan, a better type of trackway and layout of the site to reduce damage to the park, and a drop-in based session for the public where the provider can listen to people’s comments.
“We look forward to details of when and where this drop-in session will be held,” they said.
The borough council’s planning portal shows that the application for last year’s event was withdrawn in February after the event closed.
A Council spokesperson said: “The planning application for Winter Wonderland 2023 was withdrawn before a formal decision could be made.
“However, the operator will need to obtain all relevant consents before being allowed to operate [this year].”
The application for the previous event was also withdrawn.
The LDRS asked if it was common practice across England for events to start without planning permission in place and then to withdraw their application after the event had ended, or if it was a borough council policy – and whether it would have been allowed on private property.
A council spokesperson said: “The Local Planning Authority (LPA) has no control over when an application is submitted or if an application is withdrawn.
“The Government allows for retrospective applications to be submitted (under Section 73A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990), to regularise an unauthorised development – the LPA receives a number of these types of applications every year.
“This was the case with application 22/02446/M73A. The application was subsequently withdrawn by the applicant, before the application could be determined by the LPA.
“Whether land is public or private is irrelevant in planning terms, as to whether an application is/can be withdrawn. Anyone can submit an application and withdraw it before a formal decision is issued, they said.
A post on social media claimed that “people who work for the council” have said Winter Wonderland is returning “for the next five years”.
But the borough spokesperson said: “No decisions have been made regarding this event for future years.
Winter Wonderland was approached for a comment but did not respond.By John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
Additional reporting by Paul Hutchinson
Bedford Independent
Update: This article was updated on 30 August 2024 at 15:36 to add a further response from Bedford Borough Council.
