IT might not be mentioned in the Christmas story – but it turns out even Santa Clause needs permission to build a grotto.

And an attraction near Frome could be pulled down as it doesn’t have planning consent.

An application for two log cabins – to be used as a “Father Christmas grotto” – at Critchill Manor, Critch Hill, has been resubmitted to Somerset Council after being refused in July.

However, the cabins are already up and children have been meeting Santa since last month.

How the cabins were proposed in the application. Picture: Chris O’Brien/Somerset Council

Now, the site could be ordered to be removed, as planners at the council recommend the application is refused.

“The wider Critchill Manor estate is former farmland which has previously been used as a golf course, but is now in various commercial and tourist uses, including the Frome Town Football Club ground, clubhouse and associated facilities,” a planning report said.

“The application seeks planning permission to site two timber buildings, which will be utilised as a Father Christmas ‘grotto’.”

It is an identical application to one refused in July, the report to the council’s East Planning Committee said.

However, the plan has the support of Selwood Parish Council, which says it is in walking distance of Frome and has “good parking available for those travelling by vehicle”.

Others have also backed the application, citing reasons including that there are already businesses on the site, the attractions offers support for SEN children, as well as those with disabilities.

The development has less impact than those already allowed, they said.

Where the cabins were erected on the Critchill Manor estate. Picture: DE Planning/Somerset Council

However, an objection to the scheme said a vacant town-centre shop would be a better venue, and raised highways safety issues.

Outside of the festive season, the buildings would be used for storage, the plan added.

The council report said if used to capacity, the site would generate more than 2,200 vehicle trips during the four-week festive season and relies on a “private car for access”.

“The trips made will be in addition to other uses operating on the wider site, although it is accepted that some customers may use facilities such as the toilets and cafe/bar at the football clubhouse,” it added.

“Overall, this volume of additional traffic does not sit comfortably with the council’s policies on reducing reliance on private transport and encouraging and supporting sustainable forms of development.”

It recommends councillors refuse the plan on the grounds the site is “poorly served by public transport and is not readily accessible by safe pedestrian or cyclist access, so access is reliant on private motor vehicles”.

For more details on the plan, log on to somerset.gov.uk and search for application reference 2023/1686/FUL.