Family forced to turn off Christmas lights after local ‘Scrooges’ complain | United Kingdom | News
A family was forced to turn off their Christmas lights after the local ‘Scrooges’ complained.
The Stoniers transform their home into a festive winter wonderland each year, with more than 7,000 lights and numerous inflatables in a tradition dating back 23 years.
They say excited children are flocking to see the decorations covering their property after spending £10,000 over the years.
But Michael Stonier, 21, was left stunned when they received a letter from social housing bosses trying to impose restrictions on this year’s lighting, claiming neighbors were complaining about the light preventing them from sleeping at night.
Homes Plus Group told him that they had to be turned off every evening at 10 p.m. and even ordered him not to install them too early in the year (before November 16).
Michael, who lives with his mother Gail, 52, and brother Timothy, 23, at the property in Blythe Bridge, Staffordshire, has now accused the social housing provider of trying to ruin Christmas.
He said: “We have been doing this as a family for 23 years, since before I was even born and we have not had a single complaint so far. We love Christmas and turn on the lights from September onwards because local children l I love it.
“The lights interest everyone, they make my community happier. We have disabled children and autistic children who take to the streets just to look at our decorations and it warms our hearts to see them so happy.
Michael said he was “baffled” when he received a letter. He said: “Why don’t every other house putting up Christmas lights in the country get the same warning? There cannot be one rule for them and one rule for the others.
“I even spoke to a local police officer to ask if there was a law regarding Christmas lights causing light pollution and he said no. There is also no law saying what time they can go up or what time you have to turn them off.
“Some of the older kids come in later at night, so I want to keep them after 10 p.m. some nights. As a family, we feel victimized and identified and feel like we can’t even breathe in our own home .
“Homes Plus acts like Scrooge. It’s just pathetic. They just say “well that’s quackery” to the entire community, because of what I assume are just one or two complaints.
“They won’t tell me how many people have complained, but most people seem to like them. There are houses around and I’m sure all over the country there are more lights on their houses than us.
“We just can’t understand it – we’re just trying to spread a bit of festive cheer.” Our electricity bills more than double at this time of year, but we don’t mind because we have the satisfaction of seeing the smiles on the children’s faces. I’m not going to take them down or turn them off, they’re here to stay.”
In an email to Michael’s mother, Homes Plus Group said: “I have been informed that the Christmas lights have been turned on earlier than I requested. I will now log this as an incident if you have not followed my recommendations.
“I have also been informed that the lights will not be turned off at 10 p.m. as requested. I will again document that you did not follow this instruction.
“You knew people had complained about the light pollution and decorations put up so early in September. You knew someone had cut the string of lights, which would have given you an indication of how people in your community were feeling.
“I explained that the lights keep your neighbors from sleeping and that turning off the lights at 10 p.m. is one way to alleviate complaints. I again ask that the lights be turned off at 10 p.m. to alleviate light pollution when the people are in bed.”
Homes Plus Group said it would not comment on Michael’s individual case, but its executive director of housing and care, Les Clarke, said LancsLive: “We know the festive period is a special time and we want everyone to be able to enjoy the celebrations. As Christmas approaches, we are sharing advice and guidance with our customers on how to celebrate safely and with consideration.
“While Christmas decorations can help spread holiday cheer, they risk becoming a fire hazard and a nuisance to neighbors if care is not taken. The advice we share from our local authorities and fire and rescue services explain how you can minimize the dangers so everyone can have a happy and safe Christmas.”
