A planning row has broken out over a Halloween scare center’s application to continue operating in the green belt.

Doncaster Factory of Horrors has sought permission to convert land use at Thornhurst Manor Country Park into outdoor entertainment with tents, event “structures” and shipping containers.

The application to Doncaster Council is retrospective because the tents have been there since 2020.

The organizer of the event said allowing it to remain permanently would boost the local economy and put the city “on the map”, but council planning officers raised concerns about its impact on the surrounding area.

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

Thornhurst Manor near Askern, an established hotel, wedding venue and golf course, is deploying additional part-time staff to manage traffic flow and crowd safety.

Managing director Laurie Murray, who set up the Scare Factory in her family’s garden when she was 18, wrote on Facebook: “I’ve been working hard to get planning permission for the Doncaster Scare Factory – something we’re all immensely proud of. But we’re facing difficulties in implementation.

“This event is so much more than entertainment; it brings 140 seasonal jobs to Doncaster and thousands of pounds into the local economy. It’s an opportunity to put Doncaster on the map and do something exciting for our community, attracting tourism and encouraging more activities in the region.” .”

A number of comments in favor of the proposal have been left on Doncaster Council’s planning portal since appealing for support on social media.

But Ms Murray claimed council planners had indicated they would not approve the application and Owston District Council had also objected to plans for the countryside park to operate.

The application was supposed to be finalized by October 22, but a decision has not been made yet.

The parish council said in a representation statement: “It is clear that the owners have disregarded the planning as they are once again making a retrospective application for the above change of land use.

“The parish council opposes this application not only on the above grounds, but also due to the poor management of previous events and the many complaints.

“We think the Thornhurst management does not respect the local population and will continue to do what they want.”

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

In their submission they added: “The main elements of the proposed visitor attraction are indoor structures that are not provided as suitable facilities in connection with the change of land use for outdoor recreation.

“The proposal is therefore an inappropriate development in the green belt.”

It was stated that in order for construction permission to be granted, the applicant must show that “exceptional circumstances” are valid.

The council’s senior highways development control officer, Andy Wiltshire, wrote that he did not support the application because he was concerned there was not enough parking for 200 vehicles and this could cause them to leave the site at the same time.

But senior environmental health officer Fiona Boothroyd’s submission said: “The Fear Factory has been operating for four years and, to my knowledge, there have been no noise complaints or other issues with the running of this event on site.”

The BBC has approached Doncaster Fear Factory for comment.

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