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'Scrooge' landlord bids to limit Christmas lights

BBC Christmas lights and illuminated inflatables including snowmen and penguins in the garden of a house. Lights are strewn across the lawn, with a fence in the foregroundBBC
Michael Stonier's lights were switched on in September

Housing association bosses have been likened to Scrooge after trying to impose restrictions on a Christmas lights display.

Some neighbours have complained about light pollution after Michael Stonier switched on his annual display in Blyth Bridge in September.

The 21-year-old was told by Homes Plus Group the earliest he should switch his Christmas lights on was 16 November, and that they must be switched off by 22:00 GMT each night.

Mr Stonier said his family felt "victimised".

"The Christmas lights get everyone interested, it makes my community happier," he said.

"I do it every year, dead early, and it doesn’t bother me how much the electricity is.

"I've got more to put up yet and more new decorations are coming."

Close-up of an inflatable, illuminated Christmas decoration - featuring Father Christmas, a reindeer and a gingerbread man - in a garden
The housing association has urged the family to turn the lights off at 22:00

The lights and inflatables have already been on display at Mr Stonier's home on Ridgway Drive in Blythe Bridge for about two months, in a family tradition he said dated back 23 years.

In an email sent by Homes Plus Group to the family, a representative said they had failed to adhere to the social landlord's requests.

"You were aware that people had complained about the light pollution and the decorations going up so early in September," the email said.

"You were aware that someone had cut the fairy lights wire which would have given you an indication of how people in your community are feeling."

The back of a house with snow on the lawn, which is also covered with Christmas lights
Mr Stonier said the lights were a family tradition that dated back 23 years

The email added that turning off the lights at 22:00, as requested, would help mitigate the complaints.

Les Clarke, Homes Plus Group executive director of housing and care, said while Christmas decorations could help spread festive cheer, "there is a danger that they can become a fire hazard and cause a nuisance to neighbours if care is not taken".

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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