'Killjoy' Tendring Council criticised over ominous threat against Winter Wonderland

Tendring Council warned operators of the festive attraction, at the St John’s Plant Centre site in Earls Hall Drive, off St John’s Road, they are committing a criminal offence by remaining open.

Christmas Wonderland reopened despite being told by officials it must close for the remainder of the festive period.

Tendring Council said the seasonal sale of Christmas items, a Santa’s grotto and a miniature train are being run without planning permission.

Officers had issued a stop notice, which means the unauthorised use must cease immediately and for 28 days.

But the move led to a massive social media backlash and more than 4,000 people signed a petition within a matter of hours.

Angry customers have also threatened protests and a march if it is forced to close.

Kevin Rose, of Hudson Close, Clacton, took his three-year-old grandson Jacob to the site.

He said: “We queued for a bit for the car park and for the Santa train, but you can queue for supermarket car parks at this time of year and they don’t cancel that.

“I know it causes traffic congestion but you get that on the A12 and M25.

“If the council had allowed plans to improve the access road then there would be no congestion.

“I think it’s disgusting - everyone is up in arms about it.

“The people of Clacton won’t stand for this.

“My grandson loves it there.

The council are killjoys, they’re Scrooges, and they are ruining Christmas for the kids.”

Nigel Brown, Tendring Council’s communications manager, previously said the company is in breach of the temporary stop notice and that is a criminal offence.

He added if the operators do not comply with the notice, the council will need to consider what action to take next, including possible further legal action.

Tendring Council issued the notice after concerns were raised by Essex County Council over highway safety.

The operators of Winter Wonderland said they would be issuing a statement at a later date.