A proposed Christmas attraction could be facing trouble as council planners have recommended that planning approval for the £2.5 million venue is refused.

Father Christmas World is set to be built on the Salomons Estate in Tunbridge Wells and has recently received criticism from members of the public after revealing ticket prices of £65 - even for children.

Tickets for the attraction, that is due to open between November 15 and December 31, went on sale last week ahead of it receiving planning application - however, council papers released today reveal that there are now recommendations for the application to be refused.

The application is set to go before the planning committee next week and will be decided by elected councillors.

When tickets were released last week Nick Moore, commercial director of Markerstudy Leisure which is the company behind Father Christmas World, reassured customers that if planning approval wasn't received they would be given a full refund.

Reasons given for refusing the application were:

• The attraction could cause flood risks
• It will significantly impact the road network in the area
• The site is not accessible by anything other than a private car
• Construction would not 'conserve and enhance' the High Weald Area of Natural Outstanding Beauty
• It would compromise inappropriate development in the Green Belt area
• It could harm the borough's heritage assets

There have been further concerns listed about the impact on the surrounding wildlife, over development of the site and light and noise pollution.

The council documents state: "Whilst the proposal will result in benefits to the local economy, and additionally in terms of recreational activity and securing a management plan for Salomons, this is not considered to overcome the harm identified to the AONB, heritage assets, the GB and highways."

A statement released by Markerstudy Leisure said: "This is a recommendation only from planning staff. The final decision rests with the elected members of the borough council who will hopefully recognise the fact that all we are asking for is the time and opportunity to prove the value of Father Christmas World to the economy of the town and to the local community.

"We are submitting additional information to address the concerns raised in this recommendation but are pleased to note that there are some comments that appear to support our own thinking that the project should be given at least a trial period.

"Under the “Appraisal” section 10.0 it states: “A ‘balancing exercise’ will weigh up the various considerations, and include consideration of the potential to grant a one year temporary permission as a ‘trial run’”.

"Under the section dealing with Environmental Protection (7.16) it says, there is “no objection” to the planning application and states that the “scheme is likely to be very well managed” and goes on to “request consideration of restricting the event to one year so that impact can be fully assessed during a trial period."

If the application is refused Markerstudy Leisure can appeal the decision.

Councillors will decide the future of the attraction at a council meeting being held tomorrow.