Local ice rink plan set for multi-year approval

A revised plan has been submitted for an ice rink to be in place between October and January until 2028

A plan to install an ice rink and winter attractions in a town centre for the next three years should be given the go-ahead, councillors will be told.

The new application aims to bring the rink, rides and other festive attractions to Alexandra Gardens in Windsor between October and January, beginning this year until 2028.

A previous submission was pulled by the applicant, Windsor on Ice, in July after planners said it would have harmed views of Windsor Castle and Windsor town centre.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead's Windsor and Ascot development management committee will be asked to approve the plan at a meeting on Thursday.

Since 2016, an ice rink and various festive attractions and rides have been granted temporary planning permission in the town centre over the winter months.

The altered project will now cause "less than substantial harm" to the castle and the town centre's conservation area and will bring "substantial" public benefit, the council said.

The local authority believes Windsor on Ice has allayed previous concerns by "slightly altering the proposed layout and number of attractions and by providing additional supporting information".

Liberal Democrat councillor for Clewer East Amy Tisi asked for the application to be decided by the committee because of the "significant footfall…supporting nearby businesses, tourism and jobs" that it is expected to bring.

The authority said officers found it was "highly probable" last year's event had caused some damage to trees within Alexandra Gardens because of the proximity of structures that did not comply with tree protection conditions.

While some of the structures were moved, "full compliance was not adhered to", it said.