East Suffolk residents invited to share views on rules for firework displays on council-owned land

People living in East Suffolk are being invited to share their views on whether the rules surrounding firework displays on council-owned land should be changed.

East Suffolk Council is carrying out a review into such displays and has launched a public consultation in an effort to understand how residents feel about them.

The council is considering new measures based on the noise causing distress to some people, pets, farm animals and other wildlife, as well as the impact on the environment and air quality.

The decision will be based on feedback they receive from residents throughout the consultation period.

Cllr James Mallinder, cabinet member for the Environment, said: “For many people fireworks are a fun and enjoyable way of marking significant occasions. However, fireworks can be a real concern for some people as well as pets, farm animals and wildlife.

“This consultation is absolutely not about encouraging a wholesale ban on events of this kind, but acknowledging, as a Council, that we have a responsibility to lead by example and consider the negative impacts that fireworks can have on people and animals. And this starts with events that we permit on our own land.

“We want to begin a conversation about how making small changes in our celebrations can have a positive impact on our communities and environment and I want to encourage as many people as possible to get involved in the consultation so we can get a better understanding of the views of our residents.”

The consultation opens today and will run until Friday May 20, 2022.

To have your say, visit the council website here: www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/new-consultation-seeks-views-on-firework-displays.