Renfrewshire Council

What a firework control zone is

A firework control zone is a defined geographical area in which it's illegal to use fireworks on private domestic property.  A zone should reduce the social harms of fireworks, such as animal welfare, impact on vulnerable groups, and environmental protection (such as noise and waste). 

The council is responsible for establishing zones where required, and breaches of an established zone are enforced by the police.  Residents and community groups can apply to have a zone in their area. 

Zones must be evidence-based, limited solely to areas, dates and times where it can make a difference, and subject to an extensive consultation process outlined in the Guidance on Firework control zones for Local Authorities (Scottish Government). 

The Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 introduced a discretionary power for councils to designate firework control zones, where there is evidence that this can resolve a problem.

What you can use a firework control zone for 

A firework control zone can: 

• stop private domestic displays 
• give communities a say 
• restrict use in a defined area 
• specify dates and times 
• potentially tackle social issues 
• make unplanned use a criminal offence. 

A firework control zone cannot: 

• prevent use in public areas such as parks, green spaces (this is already an offence) 
• prevent organised displays (such as at wedding venues) 
• stop the selling of fireworks in that area 
• be applied to a large area 
• stop bonfires 
• be used as a first option to resolve issues with fireworks. 

We'll only consider creating a firework control zone where preventative and enforcement tools have proved ineffective. If the council and local partners consider a firework control zone to be appropriate, it is expected that a zone would be used alongside other preventative and enforcement tools to have maximum effect. 

Existing approaches and tools used by local authorities to deal with issues involving fireworks are: 

• community engagement and awareness raising 
• enforcement activities 
• targeted use of Police or Scottish Fire and Rescue Services 
• retailer compliance checks 
• engagement with young people through schools or clubs. 

Current zones in Renfrewshire 

For zones to have legal force, they must be: 

• evidenced 
• proportionate 
• subject to robust consultation. 

This is because a zone will restrict the rights on residents, and criminalise an activity in certain areas which would normally be legal (holding a domestic back garden display). 

There are currently no areas which are designated fireworks control zones in Renfrewshire. We'll publish details here of firework control zones if they come into force.

Before you apply 

There is a 4-part process to create a firework control zone, made up of request, review, consultation and establishment. 

Stage 1 - community requests 

A request cannot be made by an individual. Applications for consideration of a firework control zone can only be submitted by: 

• a community of residents (with at least 25 signatures) 
• a welfare group 
• a Community Council 
• a Local Partnership Area. 

If you are applying on behalf of a community of residents, you'll need to decide on a lead applicant. We'll only notify the lead applicant of the progress and outcome of the application submitted. Lead applicants are also required for Community Councils and Welfare groups. 

The community request application form will require information on: 

• the reasons for the proposed new zone 
• the evidence to show that there is a problem which a zone can resolve, see Scottish Government Guidance for information on relevant evidence. 
• the boundaries of the zone 
• the start and end dates required for the zone to take effect. 

How to apply 

We are now accepting applications for consideration of Fireworks Control Zones to be in place for Guy Fawkes period 2025. Applications are open from 13 January 2025 to Friday 28 February 2025. Communities (as defined above) can apply online, or request a paper copy form below. 

Online form

Paper form

We will review the applications manually as soon as possible after submission to make sure they meet the relevant criteria, and to obtain details of the signatures gathered and any relevant evidence. Please apply as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for appropriate checks to be made. 

After you've applied 

Stage 2 - review group 

Once the application period closes, a review group made up of relevant partner agencies will meet in early March to review the evidenced applications; to decide whether or not they are viable and enforceable.  

Lead applicants will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible after the date of that meeting. If the request is refused at the application stage, we'll provide the reason why. You'll then have 28 days to request a review of the decision and be advised of the changes required. 

If a request is refused, any other requests that cover the same or similar geographical area cannot be made within 12 months. 

The review period will take up to 4 weeks. 

Stage 3 - proposal and consultation 

Before any decision is made to designate a firework control zone (or to amend or revoke an existing zone), we'll publish a detailed proposal. Any such proposals will be published at the end of March 2025. 

We'll then consult with: 

• those who live or work in the proposed zone 
• other members of the local community in or near the proposed zone 
• any other persons or bodies that the local authority considers having a connection with, be interested in, or affected by the proposed zone. 

This consultation stage will take 8 to 12 weeks, between late April and late July 2025.

Stage 4 - finalisation and establishment 

After consultation, a final proposal must be published to include any updates from that consultation process.  This should take up to 4 weeks; depending on the responses and number of active proposals. 

If the consultation results in a zone being supported, there is than a minimum period of 60 days notice before that can come into effect. This means any finalised and agreed proposals for Fireworks Control Zones will be published by 15 August 2025 to allow them to come into force by 15 October 2025. 

For each consultation, we'll publish a summary of responses, an analysis of responses received, an analysis of respondents and the council's reason for the decision taken. 

Enforcement 

The police are responsible for enforcing offences in a firework control zone.