Plans for a temporary 10-year permission for an annual Christmas experience at the historic Capesthorne Hall which could create 1,200 jobs have been recommended for approval.

The event, beginning from winter 2025/26, would be held annually for 50 days from the start of November until Christmas Eve up to 2035/36.

A report from Cheshire East planning officers to next week's meeting of the strategic planning board says an estimated 1,200 temporary jobs will be created for the attraction each year over the winter months.

If the scheme is given the go-ahead, the build-phase would begin in the final week of September each year and the dismantling of the event would begin immediately following the completion of the hosting, with the site cleared by the first week of February.

The report states: "It is advised that all of the immersive event experiences would be within structures, and the event is family orientated with no significant amplified music that would be audible from outside of the event site.

"There will be no fun fair rides, live music performances or light displays."

The proposal includes parking for 927 vehicles – including 314 staff spaces – and a shuttle service would be available from Macclesfield Station for both staff and visitors.

The planning officers say the proposals are deemed inappropriate for the green belt but consider this is outweighed by the economic benefits.

The report states: "The proposed development, due to a combination of the extent and size of the temporary structures, the length of time they would be on site, along with the significant increase in the degree of activity that would be created, would not preserve the openness of the green belt and would result in a degree of encroachment within the green belt."

It adds the scheme would also result in less than substantial harm to the setting of the grade II listed Capesthorne Hall.

This is primarily due to the proximity of a large portion of the temporary event buildings to the rear garden of the hall which would result in a significant visual impact for a large portion of the year.

But the report says there are significant economic and social benefits of the scheme.

It states: "These are primarily the substantial inward investment, job creation, boost to local economy from the influx of tourists to the area, many of which may utilise existing overnight accommodation in the borough, along with the cultural benefits.

"These combined, subject to conditions to limit the impact of the development on the heritage asset, are on balance, deemed sufficient to clearly outweigh the harm identified and also represent public benefits sufficient to outweigh the heritage harm."

The application has been supported by Siddington Parish Council, which says the event will have a positive impact on the local and wider district economy.

One person has objected raising concerns about the impact on the green belt and the local roads.

The application has been recommended for approval and will be considered by the strategic planning board at its meeting at Macclesfield Town Hall at 10am on Wednesday, January 29.