Santa’s path has been cleared to parade around the Ashburton Domain, much to the relief of the event's organiser.

Ashburton's Christmas Parade is shifting to Walnut Avenue this year instead of its usual CBD route, due to ongoing construction works associated with Te Whare Whakatere.

The new route's temporary traffic closure application had two objections.

At a hearing on Wednesday, the Ashburton District Council approved the road closure application with two conditions.

The decision was met with relief from parade organiser Carol Johns, who can now focus on delivering the event.

Had it not got the go-ahead at Walnut Ave, there was no plan B, she said.

“We had looked at going to the A&P showgrounds but people feel it takes away the atmosphere and vibe of it.

“The parade needs to be on a road because that’s what a parade is.

“People want a Santa parade but they don’t want to have it on their turf so no matter where you have it, someone will complain.

“I respect that it does affect people but I’m only asking for a couple of hours really, and I’ll do everything I can to make sure people are accommodated.”

Johns is required to complete a mail drop to all the affected properties and have street signage highlighting the road closure in the days leading up to the event.

The parade will see Walnut Avenue closed from West Street (SH1) to Oak Grove, and part of Creek Road, from 10am to 2pm, on December 2.

During the hearing councillor Russell Ellis was critical of the timing of the process.

“If we decided against this there is no time for a plan b and we become the evil grinches cancelling the Santa parade.

“If we had more objections I’m not sure what we would have done.”

Compliance and development group manager Jane Donaldson said the process is “constrained by legislation” with objections to the application required to be lodged no later than 28 days before the proposed closure.

The hearing also approved the temporary road closure for the Light up the Night event on November 25.

The council’s Christmas event, which concludes with the lighting of the community Christmas tree, has moved to a Saturday and will have East Street closed between Havelock Street and Tancred Street, from 3pm until 10.30pm.

Burnett Street will also be closed from East Street to Cass Street.

Whitcoulls had objected to the closure but the councillors were content that there would be sufficient access to the retailers that were still open after 3pm.

By Jonathan Leask