Planners in favour of Oatlands keeping entertainment tent

PLANNERS have recommended that Oatlands be allowed to keep a large wooden entertainment tent for the remainder of the summer.

The 1920s Belgian attraction, used for entertainment, functions and displays, has been up since May and its owner, Oatland Holdings Ltd, submitted a retrospective planning application.

But it has received a negative response from concerned neighbours, who were outraged that it was erected before permission was granted.

The Environment Department had previously turned down an application for the Spiegel tent because of the loss of open and undeveloped land as well as increased noise and disturbance.

However, planning officers say the new application puts the feature in a different position, moving it away from residential areas, and therefore reducing the potential noise impact.