I’ve lit up my balcony with spectacular Christmas lights – but now killjoy council has forced me to tear it down
A MAN who lit up his balcony with spectacular Christmas lights is being forced to tear it down by a killjoy council.
Mark Strong’s decorations were officially lit up on December 1 in Hollingwood, Derbyshire.
Featuring reindeer, Santa and candy canes, the popular balcony won the “best Christmas decorations” award in 2021 and 2022.
It also serves as a memorial for Mark’s dad, Philip, who died earlier this year.
But Chesterfield Borough Council has now demanded that Mark take the balcony down.
The Scrooge authority claims the structure crosses the boundary of the garden.
It said the balcony was constructed without permission and encroaches into land owned by the council.
“When the council got in touch with us to take the balcony down we were upset as it was the last thing our Dad did before he died in January,” Mark told the Derbyshire Times.
“That’s why we decided to take them on with the petition of paper signatures and later online which overall got over 1,000 signatures in the end.
“We think the Christmas decorations this year are just wonderful.
“We always try our best to improve each year, but we really pushed the boat out for our dad this time and we dedicate this year’s Christmas decorations to him.”
Mark has launched a petition, which has now received more than 1,000 signatures, in a bid to save his balcony.
He also believes the structure has been in place for five years meaning it could be saved under the four-year planning rule.
The Sun has approached Chesterfield Borough Council for comment.