Planning row over the future of Halloween scare attractions

A planning row has broken out over an application for a Halloween scare attraction to continue operating in the green belt.

Doncaster Fear Factory has applied for permission to change the use of land at Thornhurst Manor Country Park to an outdoor attraction with marquees, event structures and shipping containers.

The application to Doncaster Council is retroactive as the marquees have been there since 2020.

The event organizer said making the event permanent would boost the local economy and put the “city on the map”, but council planning officers have raised concerns about the impact on the surrounding area.

The Halloween event runs for two weeks in October and can accommodate 200 visitors in an evening session, with 40 in each pre-booked 30-minute time slot.

Additional part-time staff are being deployed to manage traffic flows and crowd safety at Thornhurst Manor, near Askern, an established hotel, wedding venue and golf course.

Managing director Laurie Murray, who founded the Fear Factory in her parents’ garden at the age of 18, wrote on Facebook: “I have worked hard to obtain planning permission for Doncaster Fear Factory – an event we are all extremely proud of . by. However, we encountered problems with the application.

“This event is more than just fun; it will bring 140 seasonal jobs to Doncaster and inject thousands of pounds into the local economy. It’s an opportunity to put Doncaster on the map and give our community something exciting to do, attracting tourism and more activity is encouraged in the area.”

Since she called for support on social media, a large number of comments have been left in favor of the proposal on Doncaster Council’s planning portal.

However, Ms Murray claimed council planners had indicated they would not approve the application, and Owston Parish Council had also lodged objections to plans to operate the park.

The application was intended to be decided on October 22, but no decision has yet been made.

In a representative statement, the parish council said: “It appears clear that the owners have no regard for planning as they are once again applying retrospectively for the above-mentioned change of land use.

“The parish council opposes this application, not only on the above grounds, but also due to the fact that previous events have been poorly managed, with many complaints.

“We believe that Thornhurst management has no regard for the local population and will continue to do what they want.”

Doncaster Council’s chief planning officer noted that although the event structures were described as temporary, they remained in place throughout the year in a green belt location.

In their submission they added: “The key elements of the proposed visitor attraction are indoor structures that are not provided as appropriate facilities in relation to the change of land use for outdoor recreation.

“As such, the proposal is an inappropriate development in the green belt.”

It was stated that the applicant would have to demonstrate that there were ‘exceptional circumstances’ to grant permission for the development.

Andy Wiltshire, the senior highways development officer, wrote that he did not support the application because he was concerned there was not enough parking for 200 vehicles, which could eventually leave the site.

However, senior environmental health officer Fiona Boothroyd’s submission said: “The Fear Factory has been in operation for four years and to my knowledge there have never been any noise complaints or other issues in connection with the staging of this event at the venue.”

The BBC has approached Doncaster Fear Factory for comment.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Soundsstay up to date with the latest news episode of Kijk Noord or tell us a story you think we should have cover here.