Leicester Balloon Festival Proposal Sparks Safety Fears Among Residents
Plans for a three-day hot air balloon festival in Leicester's Victoria Park have been met with strong opposition from local residents, who are raising serious concerns about public safety and potential nuisance. The event, proposed by Show Time Events Group Ltd, is scheduled to take place annually in June, featuring around thirty hot air balloons launching twice daily from Friday to Sunday.
Residents Voice Health and Safety Nightmares
In written objections submitted to Leicester City Council's licensing hearings committee, residents described the festival proposals as "tempting fate" and argued that a city-centre location "cannot be wise" for such activities. One resident highlighted previous incidents where hot air balloons struggled to launch safely from urban parks, stating they were "a health and safety nightmare" before being prohibited.
The resident recounted alarming experiences: "Balloons didn't rise directly upwards but were blown at sometimes alarmingly low levels, clipping trees and leaving homeowners fearing for their chimneys. I remember one resident in a St Leonards Court upper flat seeing a balloon fly past at eye level."
Event Details and Organizer Response
The proposed festival would run from June 19th to 21st, with balloon launches at 6am and 7pm each day. In addition to the balloon activities, the event would include fireworks displays, a funfair, live music performances, and alcohol sales. Show Time Events Group Ltd, which already operates the "Balloons and Tunes" festival in Market Harborough, estimates the Leicester event could attract up to 10,000 visitors daily.
In response to safety concerns, organizers told councillors that all pilots involved are seasoned professionals with between ten and fifteen years of ballooning experience. They emphasized that flights would not proceed under unsafe weather conditions and that safety protocols would be strictly followed.
Noise and Wildlife Concerns Amplify Opposition
Despite Victoria Park's history of hosting major events like BBC Radio 2's Party in the Park and recent Kasabian concerts, noise emerged as another significant concern. Sally Williams, representing the Friends of Clarendon Park, told the committee that the event's scale and duration would overwhelm local residents.
"It's too long for a park that's enclosed by houses," Williams said. "It is hard to describe what it feels like when you face day after day of relentless noise you can't get away from – because you would normally go to the park to escape it."
The council's noise team has requested implementation of a comprehensive noise management plan, with music levels not exceeding 65 decibels. Proposed fireworks displays at 10:15pm, launched near a wildlife zone within the park, faced particular opposition from Councillor Patrick Kitterick.
"It is a haven for wildlife in the city – if you blast some fireworks in the middle of the night it's so un-understanding of the area," Kitterick told committee members, urging them to reject the fireworks component if nothing else.
Communication Breakdown and Consultation Issues
Councillor Kitterick also criticized what he described as inadequate consultation with residents, stating: "The communication about this has been appalling. The festival and events unit has essentially refused to engage with residents to express their concerns. The absence of consultation leaves us with apprehensions about future communication. It appears to be doing the bare minimum."
Organizers have since committed to convening a meeting with neighbors to address their concerns directly. The licensing committee is expected to reach a decision on the application next week, with options including approving the licence as submitted, granting it with conditions, or rejecting it outright.
The debate highlights the ongoing tension between event organizers seeking to bring entertainment to urban spaces and residents concerned about safety, noise, and quality of life in their neighborhoods.
