Councillors have backed a bid to ban Chinese lanterns from being released on council land.

It will mean byelaws restricting people launching paper lanterns from places like Castle Hill or their local park.

A bid was made by the Green Party and received near-unanimous support from across the Kirklees Council chamber to make it official council policy.

Kirkburton Green Party councillor Robert Barraclough, who proposed the ban, said: “I am very pleased the motion has been passed.

“We need to make more people aware of the dangers associated with these lanterns to horses, cows and other animals.

“Kirklees now needs to take a lead and get the message out to other landowners across the district.”

Farmers and councillors campaigned to ban flying lanterns at Stirley Farm, Hall Bower. Left to right, Clr Robert Barraclough, Clr Andrew Cooper, Farm manager Ian Smart and Clr Karen Allison.
Farmers and councillors campaigned to ban flying lanterns at Stirley Farm, Hall Bower. Left to right, Clr Robert Barraclough, Clr Andrew Cooper, Farm manager Ian Smart and Clr Karen Allison.

The ban relates to the release of flying lanterns from all council-owned land including parks.

It was put before councillors after local farmers reported that animals have had to be destroyed when parts of a lantern’s metal frame was digested and tore through their internal organs.

Local farms affected include Stirley Farm at Newsome, which has lost livestock to flying lanterns, but horses are also at risk.

The problem relates to lanterns landing in fields unseen and then being chopped up into small pieces when grass in farm fields is mowed for animal feed.

Once in bales, the small pieces of metal are almost impossible to detect but do terrible internal damage to animals.

Clr Barraclough, himself a farmer of 30 years, added: “Many people simply do not understand that these lanterns are dangerous and damaging and this motion is aimed at raising people’s awareness of the dangers of setting off these lanterns and the consequences it has for cows and sheep on local farms.”

Lantern releases like this one, held in memory of Isaac Nash, are now banned on council land
Lantern releases like this one, held in memory of Isaac Nash, are now banned on council land

Approval of the ban means: signs will be erected at prime locations warning against launches of lanterns; a byelaw to regulate the release of lanterns; and Kirklees Licensing will consider further legislation.

The authority also wants to encourage West Yorkshire Trading Standards and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service to work with manufacturers, distributors and retailers to improve safety standards.

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Should the lanterns be banned?