A family has slammed “Scrooge” housing bosses after being told to turn off their Christmas display at night following complaints that they cause light pollution.
Each year the Stoniers turn their home into a festive winter wonderland featuring 7,000 lights and numerous inflatables, a tradition dating back over two decades.
They say excited children flock to see the decorations which cover their property in Blythe Bridge, Staffordshire, after spending £10,000 on it over the years.
But Michael Stonier, 21, said he was left stunned when they got a letter from social housing bosses trying to impose restrictions on this year’s lights.
They claimed some neighbours had complained about light pollution caused by the display, which was also said to be keeping locals awake at night.
Homes Plus Group told him the lights must be off by 10pm each night and even told him not to put them up too early before Christmas.
Michael, who lives with mum Gail, 52, and brother Timothy, 23, has now criticised the social housing provider and accused them of trying to ruin Christmas.
“We’ve been doing this as a family for 23 years, before I was even born and we’ve not had a single complaint until now,” he told SWNS.
“We love Christmas and get the lights up as early as September because the children in the local area love it. The lights get everyone interested, it makes my community happier.
“We have disabled children and autistic children who come down the street just to look at our decorations and it warms your heart to see them so happy. So I was baffled when I got a letter saying we’d had complaints about light pollution.
“Why doesn’t every other house who puts up Christmas lights in the country get the same warning? It can’t be one rule for them and one rules for others.”
Michael says he even spoke to a local police officer to ask if there was a law about Christmas lights causing light pollution, and he claims he was told there wasn’t. “There’s also no law saying how early they can go up or what time you have to turn them off by,” he added.
“Some of the older kids come later at night so I want to keep them on past 10pm some nights. As a family we feel victimised and pinpointed and feel we cannot even breathe in our own home. Homes Plus is acting like Scrooge.
“They also told me not to put them up until the middle of November but I like to get them up early, surely that’s personal preference.
“It’s just pathetic. They are just saying ‘bah humbug’ to the entire community just over what I assume are only one or two complaints.
“They won’t tell me how many people have complained but most people seem to enjoy them. There’s houses around the area and I’m sure all over the country who have more lights on their houses then we do.
“I don’t think they are even visible to neighbours on the other side of the street so I can’t see how they can be keeping them awake at night.
“We are not a nuisance to anyone, we keep ourselves to ourselves, but yet somebody seems to have a problem with us. We just can’t understand it – we’re just trying to spread a bit of festive cheer.
“Our electricity bills more than double during this time of year but we don’t mind as we get the satisfaction of seeing the smiles on kids faces. I’m not taking them down or turning them off, they are here to stay.”
In an email sent to Michael’s mum, Homes Plus Group said: “I have been informed that the Christmas lights have gone up earlier than I asked – to confirm I did ask that the earliest they should be up is 16 November.
“I will now be logging this as an incident when you have not followed my recommendations. I have also been notified that the lights are not being turned off at 10pm in line with what I asked for. I will again now document that you have failed to follow this instruction.
“You were aware that people had complained about the light pollution and the decorations going up so early in September. 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.
“I did explain that the lights were keeping your neighbours awake and turning the lights off at 10pm was a way to mitigate the complaints. I again ask that the lights are turned off at 10pm to mitigate light pollution when 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: “We know the festive period is a special time and we want everyone to be able to enjoy the celebrations. In the run-up to Christmas, we are sharing advice and guidance with our customers on how to celebrate safely and considerately.
“Whilst Christmas decorations can help to 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.
“The guidance we share from our local authorities and fire and rescue services advises on how you can minimise the dangers so that everyone can enjoy a safe and happy Christmas.”