Plans to ban Chinese lantern releases from land owned by South Kesteven District Council move forward
South Kesteven District Council is set to ban the release of Chinese lanterns on its own land over concerns of the “negative impact” on the environment and wildlife.
Senior councillors are expected to adopt a position statement on sky lanterns and balloons at a cabinet meeting next week.
It means releases would be prohibited on council-owned parks or open spaces.
There is no national legislation to control the release of lanterns and balloons, which means local authorities have to take their own positions on the issue.
The measure follows the increase in popularity of releasing Chinese lanterns into the sky at charity events or other occasions.
But, the authority said the balloons and lanterns can pose a choking or entanglement hazard to natural wildlife and livestock.
It added that it is “impossible to control where they land” and that they can often land in “streams and rivers which may lead to the sea”.
In its position statement which is expected to be adopted next week, the council said it is committed to protecting the local environment.
Senior councillors will discuss the ban at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.