Critchill Manor Christmas grotto allowed to stay open

The grotto has been operating near Frome since November

A Christmas grotto threatened with closure has been spared after councillors voted for it to stay open.

Somerset Council planning officers had recommended that the grotto at the Critchill Manor Estate near Frome be torn down.

They said it contravened planning policies about building in the countryside.

But councillors voted to allow the grotto to remain in place describing it as a "high class" attraction.

Councillor Barry Clark said if committee members refused the application "we will be a laughing stock".

The site, which offers families a meeting with Father Christmas, Mrs Claus and elves, has been operating since November.

Planning permission for the grotto was rejected in July and a follow-up application was also recommended for refusal by Somerset Council officers.

The second application, discussed on Tuesday, was recommended for refusal because it was in a rural location with no public transport links, meaning people would have to rely on private cars to get there which is against the council's planning policy.

Gordon Perry, who runs the grotto with his wife and brother-in-law, said it brings local children "a lot of happiness".

He said they had taken out a £22,000 loan to set up the grotto cabins and opened without planning permission "because we wanted that continuity with families we have traded with in the past".

The grotto is fully booked every weekend until Christmas.