Council bans use of sky lanterns in east Cheshire

Cabinet member for communities Cllr Les Gilbert is set to ban the candle-lit Chinese lanterns as part of the conditions of any hire and event licences granted by the authority.

The lanterns, which were taken off the shelves by Tesco in 2012, consist of a paper-covered wire or bamboo frame and an open flame heat source which can float in the sky for long distances.

Cllr Gilbert said he is now set to be ban the use of the lanterns in the borough due to them causing ‘real misery to farmers’.

Cllr Gilbert said: “These lanterns are a menace and causing real misery to farmers, their livestock and wildlife.

“Cheshire East Council 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 east Cheshire licenced 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.