Popular Lancaster on Ice event given thumbs up

Lancaster on Ice is an annual winter wonderland and award-winning outdoor ice skating event held in Dalton Square.

First launched in 2018, the festival generally operates from late November to early January and features an 800sqm real-ice rink, a giant Ferris wheel, Christmas market stalls, traditional fairground rides, and a Giant Tipi Bar.

The latest planning application sought permission for the temporary seasonal use of land for an ice rink and associated infrastructure, Christmas market stalls, a skate exchange marquee, an event tepee for food and drink, and fairground rides and equipment.

As part of the fairground offer, the proposal included a 30-metre high observation wheel at the northern end of Dalton Square. It would be located in the same position as in previous years.

The applicants, Martin and Hannah Horner from The Borough, were seeking planning permission for three alternative layouts.

One layout excluded the observation wheel and included a larger tepee area. In all three options, the ice rink, skate exchange, chillers and associated rink infrastructure remained in the same position within Dalton Square gardens.

The alternative layouts relate to the position of the fairground rides, Christmas market stalls and event tepee.

These elements would all be outside the listed stone balustrades and within the highway and parking areas on the northern and eastern sides of Dalton Square.

The associated infrastructure includes chillers, access ramps, fencing, hoardings, access barriers and a skate exchange tent. The application includes three alternative zonal layouts showing the position of the market stalls, beverage tent and fairground rides. This provides flexibility over how the temporary facilities would be arranged each year.

The submission stated that the development would operate Monday to Sunday, including bank holidays, between 10am and 10pm. The development is also expected to support 15 full-time jobs during the circa six-week event period.

Councillors at the Planning Regulatory Committee meeting gave the application a thumbs up.

A listed building application was also submitted because the Queen Victoria monument, which would be at the centre of the ice rink in Dalton Square, is Grade II* listed and the balustrades around the square are Grade II listed.

Councillors also approved the listed building application.