One resident wrote to the council and stated hot air balloon launches from city parks were “a health and safety nightmare” before they were banned.
“Balloons struggled to get upright without being blown over.
“More importantly, they didn’t rise directly upwards but were blown at sometimes alarmingly low levels, clipping trees and leaving homeowners fearing for their chimneys,” they added.
However, David Bailey, group director of Showtime Events, which is organising the festival, said: “We have been doing this for 10 years – they are very experienced pilots with 20 to 30 years [experience].
“We’ve never had an accident. They won’t fly if they don’t feel fit to.”
The organisers have since decided to remove fireworks from the plans, the Local Democracy Reporting Service, external (LDRS) reports.
Mr Bailey added: “I want to work with the local people, not against them. I want people to be happy and come back here year on year.
“We want to bring this to your town and you to enjoy it.”
