PLANS to bring York’s annual ice rink back to the city’s Designer Outlet could be approved next week.

City of York Council planners have recommended approving an application by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions for the Ice Factor rink to be based at the Naburn site, next to the A64, for the next five years.

The company won permission for the rink to make its debut at the Designer Outlet's coach park last year after it had to be switched from its traditional home at the Eye of York because of objections from officials at York Crown Court.

Last year’s Ice Factor run attracted about 31,000 visitors, a reduction of about 6,000 on the numbers it drew in while in the city centre, but Lunchbox said the icy winter weather had a part to play in this. They also said the Designer Outlet move had helped encourage people from areas such as Selby and Doncaster to use the rink.

The council’s east area planning sub-committee will meet on Thursday to discuss the plans for the rink to stay at the Designer Outlet for five years, having previously granted a one-year consent to allow it to operate last winter.

Fulford Parish Council has opposed the ice rink, with its objections including claims it is inappropriate in the Green Belt, the noise from the site would disturb residents and animals and the number of visitors would cause parking problems.

If approved, the rink would operate for public skating sessions between 9.30am and 9.15pm, with lessons being held between 8.30am and 9.30am on weekends. A report which will go before Thursday’s meeting also said visitor numbers at the Designer Outlet rose by about 9,000, or four per cent, during the period when the rink was open last winter.