Family ordered to turn Christmas lights off every night after neighbour complained

A man who lights his house up every Christmas has been ordered to turn them off after 10pm.

Michael Stonier, 21, was told by social housing bosses to switch the £10,000 fairy lights off after complaints from a neighbours.

He suspects some of those who don’t like the 7,000-bulb display of sabotage, cutting the wires.

His family started building the display over 20 years ago in Blythe Bridge, Stoke-on-Trent.

They have called Homes Plus Group bosses Scrooges for imposing the illuminary curfew after complaints that it was too bright and keeping neighbours awake.

The Stoniers were told they weren’t allowed to put up their lights before November 16 – but ignored the warning and put them up in September.

Michael, who lives with mum Gail, 52, and brother Timothy, 23, has said the housing association is trying to ruin Christmas.

He said: ‘We’ve been doing this since before I was born and we’ve not had a single complaint until now.

‘The lights get everyone interested, it makes my community happier.

‘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.

‘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.

The family have in the past put the lights up as soon as September and say the council won’t tell them how many people have complained.

Michael added: ‘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.

‘There’s also no law saying how early they can go up or what time you have to turn them off by.

‘Some of the older kids come later at night so I want to keep them on. As a family we feel victimised and pinpointed and feel we cannot even breathe in our own home.

‘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.

‘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.’

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. I will now be logging this as an incident when you have not followed my recommendations.

‘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.’

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.’

Michael added: ‘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.’

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