To not want a NYE fireworks display outside my front door?

[flowerytaleofNewYork]

ARRRGGHH!!

Am fuming. DH took the dog out for a walk this morning and happening to notice a poster up advertising a big fireworks display to take place on our street on New Year's Eve, and inviting the whole town.

He went on the Community Association website and discovered that it was accurate, and there is a plan for a big event on our road and everyone is invited to bring their NYE parties along for the fireworks.

For background, we live on one of the mainish roads in our small town/large village. The road is about 3/4 residential, with 5 or 6 commercial properties as well, a chemist, hairdresser, etc. It's next to the river, hence the choice. However there is a big field elsewhere in the village that can be and is usually used for this type of event.

Because our house is right opposite the river, the event will be literally outside our door, with hundreds of people, mostly drunk probably, and extremely loud fireworks. We have two small children and a puppy.

At no point have residents been consulted about this at all, and we only found out about it by accident this morning, otherwise we would have been non the wiser.

AIBU to be absolutely fuming?

DH has rung the Community Association this morning and been completely and unapologetically fobbed off.

[flowerytaleofNewYork]

TeamBacon my comment was in response to PessaryPam in case that wasn't clear

[TeamBacon]

Ah no, I just read your update 2/3 through the thread after I'd posted.

[MegaClutterSlut]

A fireworks display wouldn't bother me as long as everyone pissed off back home after but there will probably be a load of drunk people hanging around keeping everyone awake well into the morning so yanbu

[fiftyval]

I can't believe that the local highways department will be at all happy with the road closure plans - have they even been informed? I know different areas have different types of local authority but round here it is the District Council which deals with licensing/ noise etc but the County Council which deals with highways. They are extremely pedantic here about having public liability of £10m for any event on the highway. Any road closure must be authorised and marshalled.Just because there might be a sign up doesn't mean motorists take any notice and they will try to drive through regardless - we had this when the olympic torch came through; luckily each closure was marshalled but we still had motorists trying to drive through the groups of pedestrians.

[Lomaamina]

To OP: I totally sympathise. I would be very unhappy about the lack of consultation. It has nothing to do with NIMBYism, but simply your reasonable desire that a public event takes place in a public domain, not in your front yard (practically).

I hope you have a satisfactory outcome.

[TheMysteryCat]

flowery their road closures are illegal. Only highways can put them out and youngsters have permission to do so. Only the olive can redirect traffic. It would be illegal for them to do so. They must also have permission from them.

I strongly suggest you or someone contacts the local wildlife trust. They have no idea of their are rare animals or plant species for example in that area and don't appear to have a management plan.

[TheMysteryCat]

Should also add that depending on the proximity to the river they also should have informed the environment agency or local water board.

I wouldn't trust them to organise a piss up in a brewery!

[TheMysteryCat]

And a final add (sorry), even if they get a formal road closure, acces for residents must be available at all times.

[Horopu]

Thank you TheMysteryCat for that lovely image of olives directing traffic - aren't they a bit small though? How do the people in the cars see them? I don't think the authorities have really thought it all through.

[TheMysteryCat]

Brilliant! Possibly my best typo...

They are obviously feta stuffed green olives for maximum appeal!

[quoteunquote]

FlowerytailofNewYork, (is that name inspired by the good fairies of NY? flower alphabet)

Just been talking to a friend who has a similar event on her doorstep each year here, and thought of you OP, so asked

they took over £3,500 last year apparently, they split the profits with a local charity,

they sell hot chocolate, food and glow sticks.

so I would start to think about taking advantage of the situation.

[flowerytaleofNewYork]

I don't really know what to do now.

I'm annoyed at their attitude
I have genuine concerns about safety etc
I don't really want a drunken party outside my front door
I don't want to spoil everyone's new year
I don't want our name to be mud locally
I don't want to get all heavy handed and grass anyone up

[TheMysteryCat]

Talk to a neighbour? See what they think and maybe go back to the organisers.

You could also print off the local authority's guide to licensed events and give it to them.

They are going to be breaking the law, so you can always say you are trying to help them create a safe event

[Bilbobagginstummy]

Go back to the police/council/various authorities who need to give the okay, and keep expressing your concerns until it's either arranged properly or they say it can't go ahead in that location (but ideally can go ahead in the more suitable place).

Get together with any like-minded neighbours: then you won't in any way feel it's just you.

[AuntieMaggie]

What sugarpastesnowflake said - the person who did that display was done for manslaughter wasn't he?

Agree with contacting the environment agency etc about wildlife/river/etc.

[flowerytaleofNewYork]

I'm normally just "flowery" quoteunquote this is my Christmas name, inspired by the musical efforts of Kirsty McColl and the Pogues.

Need to think about the options and thanks for some really helpful information and suggestions. I'm now far more worried about swans and safety issues than I am about noise for us (I'm a big softy for our swans!) and I need to discuss with DH what our options are and how we proceed.

[flowerytaleofNewYork]

Oh, and I think sugarpastesnowflake definitely deserves a round of applause!

[TheMysteryCat]

Flowery,

Btw, they can't host this event legally now because you need 30 days notice minimum for a premises licence and 10 working days for a temporary event notice. They are out of time for both.

[PseudoBadger]

Part of my role (I'm an EHO) involves safety at events for a large inner city borough (clue in my link below). The document linked too has far too much specific detail to my area to be useful, however there is detail about event management plans/risk assessments/licensing etc. I can try and answer any questions you have, however do consider contacting your local EHOs, they should be interested.
ignore if too detailed

[PseudoBadger]

They can do a late TEN with 5 working days to go TheMysteryCat

[Eve]

Reading this and thinking of the people who put on the bonfire last year near the m5, it was a bonfire, how simple could it be, what could go wrong?