COUNCILLORS in West Dorset are pushing forward to ban the use of sky lanterns and helium balloons on council owned property – but one councillor thinks the idea is ‘too much’.

West Dorset District Council’s (WDDC) strategy committee has passed a motion which could mean a ban on the release of lanterns and balloons from council owned land, or at any events licensed by the council, if the full council agrees.

The motion, initially put forward by Cllr Dave Rickard, who represents Bridport, also states that WDDC should recommend that others in the Dorset Councils Partnership consider passing a similar ban.

Cllr Peter Barrowcliff was the only councillor to object to the motion at a meeting of the strategy committee.

He said: “I think it’s far too much.

“They look great, and they are a danger. Stopping the release from council property is absolutely right but I think the rest is too much.

“We’ve got more important things to worry about. It’s not our job to tell other councils what to do.”

Cllr Stella Jones disagreed, showing her support for the motion which is backed nationally by organisations such as the Marine Conservation Society and the RSPCA.

She said: “We should recommend that other councils consider it, giving them the idea that it’s the right thing to do.

“They cause harm to the environment and cattle. It will give people the idea not to use them.”

Many councils across the country have introduced the ban, over fears that the lanterns and balloons are harmful to the environment.

A report put before the committee said: “Many organisations have drawn attention to the problem of sky lantern and balloon releases which end up as litter on land or sea and pose a risk to livestock and marine animals which mistake balloons in particular for food.

“Balloons have been found ingested in endangered turtles, dolphins, whales and seabirds. Livestock have died after eating degraded lanterns, which are accidentally picked up by harvesting machinery and put into winter feeds.”

Chinese lanterns, made from paper stretched over a wire frame and lit with a naked flame, are often used at parties and celebrations. In April 2016, a sky lantern landed on a Dorset Nature Reserve near Wareham starting a major gorse fire.

The final decision will be made at a meeting of the full council on Tuesday (1).