A Santa Claus is facing eviction from his Christmas Grotto - in a row with the council over planning permission.<br /><br />'Santa's Grotto Frome' has provided families and children a meeting with Father Christmas, Mrs Claus and the elves for six years.<br /><br />They set up at a new site this year, which consists of two small wooden buildings located within Critchill Manor Estate in the Somerset town.<br /><br />But they say Somerset Council has threatened 'enforcement' to take the buildings down.<br /><br />They applied for planning permission in April which was rejected by the council in July due to 'sustainability concerns' over the lack of public transport.<br /><br />They said planning officers at Somerset Council have rejected the planning permission on the basis that the grotto is in a rural location with no public transport links - meaning people would have to rely on private cars to get there, which is against 'planning policy'.<br /><br />The application itself does have the backing of the Local Parish Council and local councillors.<br /><br />The grotto buildings were built onsite despite not obtaining planning permission, and a follow-up application on the decision will be voted on by Somerset Council this week.<br /><br />If this is not successful, they then have one last appeal opportunity.<br /><br />Craig Gillett, 61, who is Santa at the Grotto alongside his sister who plays Mrs Claus, said: "It is so frustrating.<br /><br />"We try and give back to the community for their support - it's all about giving some fun and joy in people's lives at the moment.<br /><br />"There is so much bad and sad news on all the time - to have children's innocent faces beaming at you, looking at this character that brings so much happiness.<br /><br />"To have that taken away by one council officer that has not even seen the site and doesn't even live nearby, is heartbreaking."<br /><br />Santa's Grotto Frome consists of Craig, his sister Clare Perry, 59, as well as Gordon Perry, 57, Craig's brother-in-law.<br /><br />The family were searching for a new site this year when they were approached by landowners owns the 186 acres of Critchill Manor Estate.<br /><br />Santa's Grotto Frome are not the only community business operating on the space, however, as it is also home to numerous other trades including a cafe and the local Frome Youth football team.<br /><br />Craig said: "There is trading already on the existing site.<br /><br />"The football team alone regularly have over 300 cars there supporting their teams and events.<br /><br />"The council state our Grotto is not sustainable because there is no public transport to get to the site - but you wouldn't go on a bus to a golf club.<br /><br />"Our previous site had no bus route.<br /><br />"We have a booking system through a ticket source, so have a mix of two families per 20 minute sessions.<br /><br />"That is roughly six cars an hour, compared to the amount of regular cars already permitted to site.<br /><br />"Our six little cars have very little, if any, impact whatsoever especially as some will be electric."
