THE UNIQUE Lapland Christmas experience planned at a major tourist attraction is due to be given the go-ahead just five days before it opens.

Mike Battle’s dream of families enjoying a traditional Christmas at Bedgebury Pinetum, Goudhurst, without the carbon footprint of flying to Finland, was severely dented after criticisms that it did not fit in with the Forestry Commission’s ethos. There had been complaints that trees were being chopped down which was denied by Lapland UK.

Members of Tunbridge Wells council’s eastern area plans committee are due to approve a retrospective application at their meeting on Monday (Nov 19).

The first of the 35,000 ticket holders is expected to pass through the attraction’s doors on Saturday, November 24 and it will operate until December 31.