Winter Wonderland ice rink at Recycling Point, Hills Meadow Car Park, Caversham, Reading

What was proposed

A temporary Winter Wonderland would include an ice rink, marquees, fairground rides and stalls, operating during the specified winter period.

“Planning Applications Committee 07 October 2026 Title PLANNING APPLICATION REPORT Ward Thames Planning Application Reference: PL/26/ 1116 Site Address: Hills Meadow Car Park, George Street, Caversham, Reading, RG4 8DH Proposed Development Temporary erection of ice rink, marquee structure and ancillary side stalls in connection with Winter Wonderland festival, for a period of time not to be before 11 October 2026 and not to extend beyond 20 January 2027.”

“The Proposal 3.1. The proposed development is seeking planning permission for the temporary erection of an ice rink, marquee structures, fairground rides and ancillary side stalls in connection with the Winter Wonderland festival, for a period of time not to be before 11 October 2026 and not to extend beyond 20 January 2027. The site is to be cleared of festival apparatus by 20 January 2027.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the temporary leisure event suitable because it used hardstanding, supported the town centre and would leave the site restored.

“Increased visitors may include greater trips into town, and potential secondary activities and spending associated with the main trip attending the event. The proposed development is therefore considered in accordance with Policy CR4, bringing a temporary, seasonal leisure attraction to the town centre.”

Officer report

Advice and objections

Transport and licensing officers raised no objections, while environmental, parks and residents’ concerns focused on noise, flooding, trees, parking, waste and footpath protection.

“RBC Environmental Protection 5.6 The noise assessment is satisfactory, but can the applicant confirm whether there are any changes to the generator set up or running from last year. The noise issue appeared to be okay last year and no complaints were received. A list of the proposed fairground rides has been submitted for review. No objections subject to conditions and agreement to the proposed fairground rides.”

“There are two concerns in the Tree protection plan 1) justification for the lesser fencing of orange mesh builders fence rather than Heras fencing along the edge and 2) a dedicated area within the tree /RPA zones for ‘partial dodgem base and temporary caravan accommodation’: Activity should stay out of the tree / soft landscape zone as it risks damage to the trees and rooting environment, including an A category Plane tree (above).”

Officer report

Who addressed councillors

An objector and the applicant addressed the committee about the application.

Updates at the meeting

Revised fencing, flood response, fairground ride and event management information was accepted, with no further submissions expected before first use.

“A verbal update was provided at the meeting confirming that acceptable revised fencing and location plans had now been submitted and that the Natural Environment team had raised no objections to the amended fencing plan, consequently Condition 7 did not now need to be amended (as had been recommended in the Update Report). The Event Management Plan had also been updated to include additional information in relation to flood risk and associated response measures which had been deemed acceptable.”

“Details of the proposed fairground rides had also now been provided and the Council's Environmental Protection Team was satisfied that the proposal was consistent with that operated at the site the previous year. The Committee was informed that all information required by the proposed planning conditions, as set out in the report and update report, had now been submitted and had been assessed as acceptable.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee resolved to grant planning permission for the application.

“That planning permission for application PL/26/1116 (FUL) be granted, subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the original report.”

Minutes