Since 1974, a watering can called Alan legally owns any snow that falls in Ballydeelin. Those intending to build snowmen will need permission from Alan. You'll be open to legal action if you build without planning permission. With winter approaching, The Ballydeelin Research and Development Group have organised a competition for the best design. The winning design will be submitted to Alan, and it will then go through the normal planning process.

Some critics have claimed that this planning process is open to abuse. Before reaching Alan, proposals are considered by the Town Council, but there have been reports of some decisions being influenced by illegal payments to Councillors. Last year, the Council failed to explain why one snowman was refused, but another much bigger snowman was approved nearby, despite objections from local residents. The Mayor said, "It's difficult to know what's going on in Alan's mind at times, but we've got to trust that his careful deliberation will ultimately produce better results than just building anywhere at all."

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