Council Considers Ban On Disposable Barbecues, Balloons And Sky Lanterns

The Isle of Wight Council is set to consult the public on proposals to ban disposable barbecues, sky lanterns and balloons on beaches, parks and other council-owned land.

The Environment and Community Protection Committee (ECPC) voted last Thursday (28 August) to move forward with the consultation, which will ask residents whether the activities are “causing a nuisance” and if new Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) should be introduced.

Committee chair, Cllr Karen Lucioni (Alliance Group), said the three issues would be looked at separately during the process. Areas covered would include seafronts, playgrounds, sports grounds and open spaces.

Natasha Dix, the council’s service director for waste, environment and planning, told the meeting:

“Disposable barbecues, lanterns and balloons pose significant risks to public safety, wildlife and the environment.

"We’ve seen incidents locally and nationally where disposable barbecues have caused fires, and lanterns and balloons have harmed animals and contributed to litter and pollution.”

Cllr Lucioni stressed the consultation was interested in hearing from residents:

“This isn’t about stopping people having fun – it’s about working in collaboration with our residents and businesses and finding out what people actually think.”

Not all councillors agreed on the need for consultation.

Cllr Vanessa Churchman (Conservative, Haylands and Swanmore) said it was unnecessary:

“It’s obvious. Barbecues on beaches are dangerous, especially where grass runs down to the beach, like Yaverland and Shanklin.

"To me this is just bureaucracy gone mad.”

However, her Conservative colleague Cllr Ian Ward (Sandown South) supported the process, saying it was important to measure how widespread problems were:

“There could be hundreds of barbecues we never hear about, and just a few that cause issues.

"It would be good to ask people directly – those on the beach with barbecues, and others affected.”

Cllr Becca Cameron (Empowering Islanders, Freshwater South) added that many of her residents were strongly opposed to lanterns and balloons, though views on barbecues were mixed:

“We do have public barbecue areas in certain places, and I think it would be a good idea to promote those.”

The consultation is expected to launch soon, with residents given the chance to share their views before any final decision is made.