Council crackdowns on sky lanterns

by Lisa Reeves

Sunday 19^th July 2015

Sun 19^th Jul 2015

Cheshire East Council has ramped up its crackdown on 'sky lanterns' and is to ban them from all licenced events in the Borough.

Cabinet member for communities Councillor Les Gilbert is set to ban the launch of candle-lit 'Chinese' lanterns as part of the conditions of any hire and event licences granted by the authority. At a portfolio holder meeting on Monday, 20th July, he will also remind people and shopkeepers of the dangers posed by these airborne hazards.

'Chinese' or sky lanterns consist of a paper-covered wire or bamboo frame and an open flame heat source which can float in the sky for long distances. When they land they can pose a serious threat to livestock, property and farm machinery.

Councillor Les Gilbert, Council Cabinet member for communities, said: "These lanterns are a menace and causing real misery to farmers, their livestock and wildlife.

"Cheshire East is an enforcing Council that puts local residents first. We have listened to the concerns of local people and will impose a ban on sky lanterns being launched from any of the events licenced by the authority.

"I would also remind the public of the dangers sky lanterns pose and ask for their vigilance and support to protect our local communities from the stress and negative impacts of this thoughtless fad, which can do so much harm.

"If people breach the terms and conditions of an events licence, then we will be minded to refuse to grant them a licence in the future."

The Council's trading standards officers will also pass on the message to shopkeepers that they should promote an alternative to sky lanterns – and inform them they are banned from Cheshire East licensed events.

Keith Brooks, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service's head of protection and prevention, said: "Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service does not support the use of sky lanterns and asks members of the public and event organisers to refrain from using them.

"While these lanterns are undoubtedly a popular and beautiful sight, the potential damage they can cause is significant."

Landowners have called for a ban on sky lanterns in the UK following cases of livestock being injured or killed from eating lantern parts or getting entangled in the wire frames.

The Chief Fire Officers Association called for an urgent review on their use following a huge fire in Smethwick, West Midlands, in 2013, which took 200 firefighters and 39 fire appliances to control and extinguish. Video footage showed a sky lantern was the cause.

Spain, Malta and Austria have already banned the use of sky lanterns.

Tags:: Cheshire East Council

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Diane Steel

Sunday 19^th July 2015 at 11:25 am

this is excellent news! now what about a ban on the release of helium balloons? these balloons eventually come to ground causing litter, but worse they are a great danger to animals, birds, and fish. they can get caught up in the strings, or mistake them for food, causing injury or death. even biodegradable balloons can take many months to break down. there is also the terrible waste of helium which is non-renewable and needed for medical tests.

Dave Cash

Monday 20^th July 2015 at 2:00 am

#Diane. helium filled met balloons won't be banned anytime soon, nor will those used for high altitude skydiver descents, upper atmos research. I appreciate helium is a limited non-replaceable earth resource, but I would not like to see any balloon filled with the alt inflammable hydrogen. (remember the Hindenburg?)

Wednesday 22^nd July 2015 at 1:49 pm

#Dave. i understand what you are saying, but my main point was the environmental impact of these balloons, particularly the danger to wildlife, and many of us would like a total ban. this would apply no matter what they were filled with. some local authorities have already banned them, also in some places abroad.

Wednesday 22^nd July 2015 at 5:12 pm

perhaps i should make it clear, i am talking about the release of party balloons for celebrations, just as sky lanterns are released, which is what this article is about.