Plans for Lancaster's popular outdoor ice rink to remain an annual Christmas attraction in the city have moved a step forward.
Lancaster City Council officers have recommended that planning permission be given for the continued seasonal operation of Lancaster on Ice.
Organisers of the rink in Dalton Square applied earlier this year to allow the attraction to run on a permanent basis for six weeks each winter, from November to January.
The council planning regulatory committee - a cross-party group of elected councillors - will meet on Monday September 28 where they are expected to make a final decision.
Lancaster On Ice is the brainchild of Martin and Hannah Horner, who run the nearby pub, restaurant and hotel The Borough (below).
There are two applications being considered - one for "temporary change of use of land for the siting of a Christmas market and ice rink, comprising market stalls, a food and beverage marquee, fairground rides, an observation wheel, and associated infrastructure and facilities (including chillers, skate exchange tent, electrical cabinet, fencing, hoardings, access ramps and barriers)" and the other a "listed building application for the construction of temporary ice rink and erection of temporary fencing and hoardings".
A council report, published ahead of the meeting, says: "The application seeks to build on the success of the last seven years of the Lancaster on Ice event and represents an exciting opportunity for the temporary use of a historic public space.
"Whilst the proposal will result in a degree of harm to the setting of designated heritage assets, this impact would be temporary and fully reversible."
The report then recommends that full planning permission and listed building consent be granted, subject to a number of conditions.
The listed building application was needed because the Queen Victoria monument, that the ice rink surrounds in Dalton Square, is Grade II* listed and the balustrades around the square are Grade II listed.
The square is surrounded buildings including the Grade II* listed Lancaster Town Hall and the Grade II listed Palatine Hall.
The council report says "the listed structures can be suitably protected during the construction, operation and decommissioning of the event" and "the applicant has demonstrated that the development can take place each year without resulting in permanent harm to the historic fabric of the listed structures".
Lancaster On Ice has become a popular fixture of the Christmas season in Lancaster, and in 2019 won the Lancaster Tourism Award for best Large Event.
In 2025 the rink surrounding the Queen Victoria Memorial opened to the public on November 21 and ran until January 4 2026, pulling thousands of visitors.
The planning committee meeting is at Morecambe Town Hall, starts at 10.30am and is open to the public.
Read more: LISTEN: Plans revealed for 'permanent seasonal' Lancaster On Ice - Beyond Radio
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